Lilongwe, Malawi – The Chief Executive Officer of Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited, Prince Sankhani, along with other key members of his team, is participating in a two-day training workshop in Lilongwe from October 28th to 29th, 2024, at GIZ Cluster Office, Area 43, Lilongwe. The training prepares them for their involvement in a transformative initiative: the Demand-Side Subsidies (DSS) Results-based Financing (RBF) Programme.

The DSS RBF Programme aims to address a critical challenge: affordability. For many ultra-poor and vulnerable households in Malawi, accessing Off-Grid Solar Products (OGS) and improved cookstoves (ICS) remains a distant dream. Through this program, the Government of Malawi, along with technology suppliers like Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited, seeks to bridge this gap.

The DSS RBF Programme aims to address a critical challenge: affordability. For many ultra-poor and vulnerable households in Malawi, accessing Off-Grid Solar Products (OGS) and improved cookstoves (ICS) remains a distant dream. Through this program, the Government of Malawi, along with technology suppliers like Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited, seeks to bridge this gap.

The DSS RBF Programme directly targets these challenges by focusing on Malawians in the “poorer” and “poorest” income categories, as defined in the Unified Beneficiary Registry. Technology suppliers, including Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited, will receive incentives for every verified sale of solar home systems and improved cookstoves to eligible households in the districts of Balaka, Dedza, Nkhatabay, and Salima. These incentives, based on a results-based financing model, will be disbursed only after independent verification of sales, ensuring accountability and effectiveness.

Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited recognizes the significance of this project. “This is more than just a business opportunity—it’s a chance to make a difference in the lives of those who have been left in the dark, both figuratively and literally,” a company representative explained. “By offering affordable solar products and improved cookstoves, we aim to empower these communities, helping them move toward a healthier and more sustainable future.”

During the training in Lilongwe, the team is gaining insights into the project’s framework, sales strategies, community engagement, and the technical specifics of the solar products and cookstoves. The focus is on building a deep understanding of the needs of ultra-poor households and the barriers they face in accessing basic energy solutions.

With the Government of Malawi leading efforts to improve energy access and promote clean cooking technologies, this program represents a collaborative approach to addressing energy poverty. The involvement of local suppliers like Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited is vital in reaching the most vulnerable populations who have been overlooked by traditional commercial suppliers and existing public initiatives.

Through this initiative, the company aims to reach thousands of households that have never experienced the benefits of clean energy. By combining commercial strategies with social impact, Poultry and Solar Equipment Limited is setting a precedent for what inclusive growth and development can look like in Malawi.