Tag: Malawi

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org). 

A few generations ago in America, grandparents often reminded children how fortunate they were by recalling stories of walking miles to school or doing homework by candlelight.

But for 27-year-old Emmanuel Malamba, who grew up in the rural district of Nkhotakota, Malawi, those aren't nostalgic tales — they're accounts of daily life. Malamba, now a graduate student in sustainable energy at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, shared his experiences in an interview with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) about energy poverty in his country.

For millions of Africans today, doing homework by candlelight like Malamba did remains a present-day reality. So is spending hours each day gathering firewood or charcoal to cook (a burden that falls disproportionately on women) and going without reliable power in hospitals and schools.

The result is stunted productivity, constrained industrial growth, and limited opportunities to escape poverty.

As noted in the African Energy Chamber's newly released "State of African Energy: 2026 Outlook Report," the situation is particularly dire in Africa's rural areas like Malamba's home community.

"The uneven distribution is largely due to better infrastructure investments in cities, where the concentration of population and economic activities makes it more viable for utility companies to provide services," the report explains. "In contrast, rural regions often face challenges such as lower population densities, higher costs of extending electricity networks, and lower incomes, which hinder the expansion of electrification efforts."

The situation is disheartening, to put it mildly — but not hopeless. I'm convinced that we can make major strides toward addressing rural Africa's energy poverty with two key approaches to delivering electricity. The first is distributed generation (DG) — small-scale power systems located close to where electricity is used, often relying on solar, wind, or hybrid mini-plants. The second is the use of microgrids, localized networks that generate, store, and distribute power to communities not connected to the main grid. Traditional grid extension is rarely feasible for rural communities, but DG systems and microgrids offer scalable, cost-effective, and increasingly low-carbon solutions that can deliver reliable power to schools, health centers, and households.

Africa's Dire Situation

Energy poverty is not unique to Africa. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 760 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity — and four out of five of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. While energy poverty is declining globally, it's worsening across much of Africa. The situation is particularly acute in the western and eastern regions, where electrification rates stand at 59% and 54%, respectively, according to our 2026 Outlook Report.

The countries facing the most severe access gaps include Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Niger, and South Sudan, each with electrification rates below 30%.

How can this be happening in today's high-tech world — and why is Africa struggling more than other developing regions? The chamber's report cites several interconnected causes:

• Limited infrastructure: Many African nations lack sufficient generation capacity, transmission lines, and distribution networks to reach their growing populations.
• Financial constraints: Developing and maintaining the power infrastructure requires capital that many African governments simply do not have. Private investors could help bridge the gap, but perceived political and regulatory risks continue to deter investment.
• Policy and regulatory barriers: Too often, inconsistent policies and bureaucratic delays drive away the very investors Africa needs. Transparent, predictable, and investor-friendly frameworks are still the exception, not the rule.
• Geographic and demographic challenges: Vast distances, difficult terrain, and widely dispersed rural populations make electrification complex and expensive.

Even when progress is made, rapid population growth offsets much of the gain. Sub-Saharan Africa adds roughly 2.5 million people each month, creating an enormous challenge for any electrification initiative. If that pace continues over the next six years, another 180 million people will require access to electricity.

And time and time again, rural households are consistently left behind. Extending traditional power grids across vast, sparsely populated regions can cost up to twice as much per connection as in urban areas, according to the IEA. In many cases, the few customers served cannot generate enough demand to justify such investments, leaving entire villages dependent on firewood, kerosene, or diesel generators.

Best Ways Forward

Africa cannot afford to wait for traditional grid expansion to catch up. The need for power in rural communities is immediate — but so are the opportunities. Through DG systems and microgrids, entire villages are gaining access to electricity for the first time.

Let me be clear: These approaches are not the only answers to Africa's energy poverty. As I've said many times, this is a complex challenge that demands multi-pronged strategies, including gas-to-power programs driven by Africa's abundant, cleaner natural gas resources. But DG and microgrids hold extraordinary potential, especially in remote areas where extending traditional grids remains unrealistic.

Decentralized systems, such as solar home units and mini-grids, deliver energy precisely where it's needed: directly to households, schools, and businesses that national utilities cannot reach efficiently. Off-grid solar systems already provide affordable, clean power to millions. In fact, they account for roughly one-quarter of all new electricity connections in sub-Saharan Africa since 2020. They are lighting classrooms, powering small shops, and supporting daily life in ways that once seemed impossible.

The potential only grows with microgrids. These localized networks can operate independently or in conjunction with national grids. They combine renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, which are often supported by batteries to ensure round-the-clock reliability.

Expanding traditional power grids into sparsely populated areas is prohibitively expensive and inefficient. Transmission lines can cost between USD19,000 and USD22,000 per kilometer, with another USD9,000 per kilometer for distribution. In regions where homes are scattered and demand is limited, utilities must charge customers cost-reflective tariffs to recover costs — prices that most rural African households simply cannot pay.

Microgrids, by contrast, offer a faster, more affordable, and more sustainable path forward. They require lower capital investment, eliminate the need for long-distance transmission infrastructure, and can be deployed within months rather than years. With renewable technology costs dropping 25-30% since 2014, these systems are more affordable than ever before.

In Ghana, decentralized mini-grids have already proven to be the lowest-cost option for reaching remote communities. They are lighting homes, powering small enterprises, and enabling essential services. If scaled strategically, such localized systems could drive inclusive, bottom-up growth across rural Africa and finally deliver the progress that centralized grids have struggled to achieve.

Encouragingly, new financing models are emerging to accelerate these gains. Pay-as-you-go systems and blended public–private partnerships are helping developers expand microgrid deployment more rapidly and sustainably. In Nigeria, for example, a collaboration between MTN Nigeria and Lumos is bringing dependable, solar-powered electricity to households and small businesses that were once completely off the grid.

Capitalizing on the Opportunity

For DG systems and microgrids to reach their full potential, Africa must take deliberate steps to strengthen investment, innovation, and local capacity. The 2026 Outlook Report identifies multiple priorities that together form a practical roadmap for progress.

First, Africa must mobilize capital for scalable energy infrastructure. Deploying microgrids and DG systems requires substantial investment in solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and inverters. The continent needs to attract more private capital and development finance — and channel it toward bankable, results-driven projects that can expand access quickly and sustainably.

At the same time, we must expand creative financing models that make energy access affordable. Pay-as-you-go solar, microfinance, and community-based systems are already transforming lives. In East Africa, M-KOPA Solar has reached more than a million homes through small daily mobile payments, while in Ghana and South Africa, community and municipal partnerships are proving that local ownership and private collaboration can accelerate progress.

These are only a few of the strategies highlighted in the Chamber's report — all centered on one goal: making reliable, affordable energy available to every African household.

As the report points out, achieving universal electricity access by 2030 will require more than USD30 billion a year in investment — over eight times current levels. That figure may sound daunting, but it represents one of the greatest opportunities of our time for those ready to help Africa build a modern, reliable energy future.

Encouragingly, progress is already underway. One exciting example is the “Mission 300” initiative. Jointly launched by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, it aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Between mid-2023 and early 2025, it has already reached 21 million people, with projects actively underway to reach 100 million more. This kind of collaboration — among governments, financiers, developers, and communities — is what will finally turn Africa's energy deficit into a story of shared prosperity.

The path forward is clear. Africa must lead with balanced energy strategies that combine gas-to-power with pragmatic renewable energy solutions like DG systems and microgrids. But investors, governments, and development partners all have a role to play. With the right mix of policy reform, financing innovation, and political will, we can light up every home, every business, and every school on this continent.

"The State of African Energy: 2026 Outlook Report" is available for download. Visit https://apo-opa.co/48BLiJ1 to request your copy.

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The continental meeting of Catholic Television Directors from Africa and Madagascar was held in Nairobi (Kenya) from 24 to 28 November 2025, with the participation of German partners and the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, represented by Sr. Nina, Communication Specialist.

Pacis TV had the honor of presenting:

- its recent achievements,
- its strategic projects,
- its continental and international collaboration opportunities.
- The channel also led some key segments of the meeting.

The opening session was delivered, on behalf of His Eminence Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, by His Excellency Bishop Bernardine Mfumbusa, who was recently mandated in Kigali by the African bishops to coordinate communication within SECAM.

Participating countries: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya (AMECEA), Mali, Rwanda, Mozambique, Madagascar, Togo, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Germany, Argentina, Rome, and Austria.

Throughout the day, the Dicastery for Communication, Bishop Mfumbusa, and the CRTN/ACN team presented the Catholic Television Network Service for Africa Project, emphasizing:

- the urgent need to train communication experts within dioceses;
- the importance of avoiding competition with secular media;
- the mission of enlightening society through the power of truth;
- the need to strengthen collaboration with Catholic celebrities and influencers for the common good.

Special Participation of Rwandan Priests Studying at CUEA

Three Rwandan priests studying at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa received special permission to attend Pacis TV's presentation:

Fr. Patrice,
Fr. Jean de Dieu,
Fr. Damien Kimenyi.

They expressed great interest in the vision and orientations presented, thereby strengthening the link between academic formation and the Church's media mission.

SIGNIS International Update

SIGNIS also provided an update on the upcoming Kigali International Meeting scheduled for August 2026. This future gathering will prioritize:

- strengthening the digital media presence of Catholic institutions;
- developing artificial intelligence tools and influencer databases;
- addressing the communication gaps that persist in several episcopal conferences, some of which still lack official spokespersons.

Recognition of Pacis TV's Continental Leadership

After the exchanges among all African Catholic televisions, it became evident that Pacis TV stands among the leading Catholic TV stations on the continent. This recognition was strongly echoed by Mr. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, CEO of APO Group, who highlighted the channel's growing visibility, operational professionalism, and strategic impact across Africa.

Pacis TV is pleased to contribute actively to a renewed vision of Catholic communication in Africa, rooted in truth, collaboration, and service to the common good.

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• Link to the Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025: https://apo-opa.co/4p6eQE7

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit 2025 on 19^th and 20^th June in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative” emphasized, “It is my great honor to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother' campaign to the 7^th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit.

Through this important platform, we have collectively exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added, “At Merck Foundation, our goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in the Africa, Asia and beyond. I would like to sincerely thank our Ambassadors and partners. Together, with your unwavering support and collaboration, we will continue to work towards our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”

The First Ladies of 14 countries, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, joined as Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers. They are:

• H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola
• H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
• H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of the Central African Republic
• H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
• H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
• H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
• H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya
• H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
• H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
• H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
• H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
• H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Senegal
• H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated, “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2400 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties. Many of our Merck Foundation Alumni are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Together with our Ambassadors and Partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa and beyond. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries.”

“During our Conference, we also marked together the World Infertility Awareness Month, observed in June, through our signature campaign “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, which aims to empower infertile and childless women by providing access to information, education, and change of mindset. I am happy to share that out of the total 2400 scholarships, more than 760 scholarships have been provided for training in Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine, to improve access to fertility care and women's health”, she further added. 

During the 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit, two important occasions were marked; the 8^th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation's development programs that started in 2012.

On the first day, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit took place, featuring a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, a high-level ministerial panel discussion was held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.

The Day 2 of the conference will have three key parallel session will be held- Two medical and scientific sessions covering Oncology and Fertility Topics, and a community awareness session, Merck Foundation Health Media Training. This session will emphasize the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.

The conference is being conducted in a hybrid format, enabling over 6,000 audiences from more than 70 countries to benefit, meet and discuss strategies and solutions for the health and social challenges in their countries safely and effectively.

Countries participating in the 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative:

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

The 7^th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative is streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/445CBE4), X (http://apo-opa.co/4p93EGW), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3WTSRV0), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3LDai9M).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4pbHoME), X (http://apo-opa.co/4oCQ4M3), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3WPky1b), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4oAA4df).

Link to the Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/4p6eQE7

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

• 2400+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for healthcare providers from 52 Countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

• 3700+ Media Representatives from more than 35 countries trained by Merck Foundation to raise awareness about different social and health issues
• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, film, song and fashion
• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
• 9 Children's Storybooks in four languages - English, French, Portuguese and Swahili
• 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education and prevention and early detection of Diabetes, Hypertension & Cancer
• Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
• 1040+ Scholarships provided annually to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to empower them to reach their full potential
• 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! 
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/445CBE4
X: http://apo-opa.co/4p93EGW
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/3LDai9M
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/3WTSRV0
Threads: http://apo-opa.co/4pdkkNv
Flickr: http://apo-opa.co/448i3Lb
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4i3dibS

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/445CBE4), X (http://apo-opa.co/4p93EGW), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3WTSRV0), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3LDai9M), Threads (http://apo-opa.co/4pdkkNv) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/448i3Lb).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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