MCHINJI-(MaraviPopst)-The visiting UN Assistant-Secretary General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Director, Ahunna Eziakonwa has expressed satisfaction over the Solar Mini-Grid impact on Malawi locals’s livelihoods.

Eziakonwa says developing nations including Malawi need a robust investment in the energy sector towards attaining the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals’ pillar.

The UNDP African director made remarks on Monday, March 4, 2024, after touring the Sitolo Solar Mini-Grid in Mchinji where solar electricity is powering maize mills and enabling local people to open up various businesses.

Eziakonwa who arrived on Sunday in Malawi for a four-day visit, appreciated the 80-kilowatt solar mini-grid at Sitolo Village in Traditional Authority (T.A) Ndawambe in Mchinji.

Ezikonwa added that the economic dimension covers some sectors including efficient use of energy and constant access to sufficient energy.

“I’m impressed with the solar-min-grid has changed locals lives. These are practical projects that need to be embraced towards attaining SDG in developing nations like Malawi,” says Eziakonwa.

The mini-grid generates power via solar and connects 816 customers, including houses as well as 94 businesses and social institutions such as schools and health facilities at Sitolo, Ndawambe, and Molosiyo villages.

Electricity from the mini-grid has enabled people in the villages to open up businesses including maize mills, salons, and shops that sell cold drinks.

With electricity, people are also able to cook using electric stoves while learners study even during the night.

One of the beneficiaries Lucy Mbawo lauds the initiative, “Since I started benefiting from solar power electricity in 2021, our lives aren’t the same as we were years before. With power, we can watch TV, and lights on for children to study at night”.

Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mchinji South West, Deus Gumba Banda who is also Lands Minister was happy seeing UNDP African Chief leaving his constituency happily on the project he advocated for.

Accompanying the UNDP envoy, Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola lauded also development partners including UNDP for the initiative that has transformed locals’ livelihoods.

Matola said the UNDP and Malawi government funded the project to uplift people’s livelihoods in many sectors.

The Sitolo 80kW Solar Mini-grid was jointly deployed by Community Energy Malawi (CEM) and Community Energy Scotland (CES) with US$750,000 from UNDP.

About 3, 425 locals have been benefiting from the initiative since 2019.