Chiyanjano Mayi Wala Group

The Chiyanjano Mayi Wala Group is made up of 20 women entrepreneurs who are helping to bring clean, affordable energy to rural communities across Malawi. Through the sale of solar products, these women are not only building their own businesses but also improving access to reliable energy for families living without electricity.

One member of the group is Mirriam, a mother of eight who became a solar entrepreneur to create a more stable source of income for her family and improve their standard of living. She is passionate about supporting her community and believes that greater access to solar energy can help transform educational opportunities for local children by enabling them to study after dark.

This loan forms part of SolarAid's Mayi Walas programme ("Shining Mothers" in Chichewa), a nationwide initiative that supports women entrepreneurs to overcome barriers to business growth while expanding access to clean, safe and affordable energy.

Women are best placed to introduce new technology to women customers, who are often the primary users of energy in the home. They are also trusted members of the community with wide social networks, providing a ready customer base. By working with local women’s groups, the project establishes a reliable network of solar agents who can effectively reach underserved rural communities. This group will receive support from local partners SunnyMoney and FEBCO to identify households in need, sell solar products, and provide installation and maintenance services.

One of the barriers women face is access to finance to scale businesses. With support from local partners SunnyMoney and FEBCO, the Chiyanjano Mayi Wala Group will use this loan to purchase 500 Solar Home Systems for sale within their communities through a pay-as-you-go model. This approach makes solar energy more accessible by allowing households to pay in instalments rather than meeting the full cost upfront.

The impact of just one solar light on a family’s life is transformational:

● Families save significantly over the lifetime of a solar light, no longer needing to buy hazardous candles or kerosene lamps. These savings are redirected to essentials like food, school fees and livelihood improvements.

● 97% of solar light users report feeling safer at night, avoiding the risks of open flames and benefiting from the increased security provided by the lights.

● Children’s educational opportunities improve, with a 33% increase in homework completion after dark.

The women’s group will sell each Solar Home System for approximately £42, earning a profit of around £13 per unit. These profits will be reinvested into the business to establish sustainable energy enterprises within their communities.

Each system includes:

● Three bright and efficient lamps (200 lm per watt), with adjustable brightness levels to meet varying needs.

● A durable solar panel and a wall-mounted battery hub with a user-friendly display and keypad.

● A smartphone charging holder, wireless wall-mount light switch, and options for future system expansion with additional batteries, panels, and lamps.

The women will earn an income from selling and supporting these systems, generating profits that will be reinvested into their businesses and helping to establish sustainable energy enterprises in rural communities. By combining entrepreneurship with energy access, the Chiyanjano Mayi Wala Group is improving opportunities for both its members and the families they serve.

The significant loan amount reflects the substantial impact it will have. Don't miss the chance to support these unique and transformative loans! Please note that repayment of this loan will begin once the Solar Home Systems have been installed and households have started making pay-as-you-go repayments. As a result, the repayment schedule may be subject to change.