Scaling Access to Affordable Solar Products in Vulnerable Communities

August 2024 – August 2025

In partnership with EnDev Malawi, Self Help Africa (SHA), and CUMO Microfinance Ltd., TENERGY is implementing the Demand-Side Subsidies (DSS) Results-Based Financing (RBF) Programme to address affordability barriers for Off-Grid Solar (OGS) products and improved cookstoves (ICS). Funded by the Netherlands Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS), this market-based initiative targets ultra-poor and vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to sustainable energy solutions.

Under the DSS RBF Programme, eligible beneficiaries in four districts across Malawi will receive an 80% subsidy on OGS and ICS products. This approach enables TENERGY to deliver verified and affordable solar home systems to underserved households, bridging the affordability gap and improving access to clean energy technologies.

Through this initiative, TENERGY is committed to empowering vulnerable communities, reducing reliance on traditional fuels, and fostering sustainable development across rural Malawi.

TENERGY Illuminates Education Chipunga C.D.S.S and Motivates four J.C.E Top Performing Students Top Performing Students

NKHATABAY DISTRICT, September 23, 2023

In a brilliant move towards empowering education and fostering sustainability, TENERGY sighted Chipunga Community Day Secondary School in Nkhatabay, Malawi. The well-known solar energy company travelled more than 20 kilometres from Mzuzu city and installed a solar PV system in a form 2 classroom, ensuring students have access to a bright and conducive learning environment.

Chipunga Community Day Secondary School, which has become a knowledge centre in the area, only managed to supply form 3 and 4 classrooms with lighting systems. This latest effort from TENERGY has extended a privilege to form 2 learners, guaranteeing that no one is left in the dark when it comes to education.

Pius Mkandawire, Founder and Team Leader of the energy company, expressed passion for this project and regarded it as a step forward in education.

Mkandawire said: "By installing a photovoltaic system in the Form 2 classroom, we hope to provide them with the tools they need to excel academically. We learned that this school suffered difficulties due to its lack of access to the national electricity grid, due to this situation, students were forced to crowd in the form 3 and form 4 classrooms. Worse still, evening classes were a challenge to an extent that some teachers had to use the personal lighting systems for illuminating the classrooms during night classes."

The generosity does not stop there. TENERGY Company also recognised academic excellence. As part of this initiative, the company donated solar lamps to two high-performing young boys and two excellent young girls who excelled in the recently released Junior Certificate of Education (J.C.E) exams.

According to Mkandawire, the solar lamps will not only help the recipients with their studies, but will also promote the usage of sustainable energy in their homes. He added that this consideration is part of their commitment to teach the value of hard work in many students across the country as they are living to the company’s motto “powering to empower”.

Receiving the donation of the Solar PV system for the school, Village Headman Kayuni 2 of Chipunga Village, Traditional Authority Nyaluwanga praised TENERGY's generosity and urged all young graduates to create jobs and find solutions to the problems that various societies face.

He said: "It is not only the government's responsibility to provide solutions to the country's problems. Young individuals who have graduated from various universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher learning should look outside the box and begin to develop actions that will address challenges that other societies are facing."

Reacting to the donation, Starling Kondowe, a Headteacher for Chipunga Community Day Secondary School said that the system will be used for the intended purpose.

Kondowe said: “As a school, we will develop policies to ensure that the supplied solar PV system is used sustainably. I will not accept any behaviour that interferes with the correct operation of the lighting system while I am in charge of this school."

TENERGY, which was founded in 2022 with the purpose of "providing energy underserved communities with innovative and affordable solutions," provides solar home systems to rural populations through a pay as you go business model.

A Journey of Empowerment through Renewable Energy The Story of Pius Mkandawire

Pius Mkandawire
Solar Energy Project
Community Impact

Pius Mkandawire, an emerging leader and entrepreneur from Malawi, has made significant strides in the renewable energy sector, driven by a passion for sustainable development and social impact. His journey began with a solid academic foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Renewable Energy Technologies from Mzuzu University, followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Energy Policy from Pan-African University Institute of Water and Energy Science (PAUWES) under the African Union-Pan-African University Scholarship.

Growing up in Malawi, Pius witnessed the struggles of rural households in accessing reliable and affordable energy. Recognizing the need for change, he founded TENERGY, a clean energy initiative aimed at addressing energy poverty. By providing solar home systems on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) payment model, TENERGY has made clean energy accessible even for low-income communities.

In 2023, Pius’s dedication earned him the prestigious D-Prize, enabling him to launch his project: Enabling Access to Reliable and Affordable Electricity. TENERGY's impact has reached over 6,000 people, improving their quality of life while empowering 25 youths through economic opportunities as sales agents and employees.

Pius’s efforts extend beyond energy solutions, fostering entrepreneurship and leadership among young people in rural areas. His innovative work has not only transformed lives in Malawi but has also inspired others across Africa to pursue impactful ventures in their communities.

Bringing Affordable Solar Energy Closer to Engutwini Communities June 2026

Community Engagement in Engutwini
Solar Product Demonstrations
Customers Purchasing Solar Home Systems

On 5 June 2026, TENERGY Limited conducted a market support and customer engagement activity in Engutwini, Mzimba District, under the GIZ Market Support and Capacity Building Initiative. The activity aimed to increase awareness of solar energy solutions, educate community members on available products and payment options, and improve access to affordable clean energy technologies.

The engagement attracted strong participation from community members, including households, farmers, shop owners, barbers, and other small business operators. Through product demonstrations and direct interaction with the TENERGY team, participants learned about the benefits of solar energy, available Solar Home Systems, PAYGo financing options, warranty coverage, and after-sales support services.

The activity generated significant interest in solar energy solutions, reflecting the growing demand for reliable and affordable electricity in rural communities. Customers particularly appreciated the opportunity to interact with the products firsthand and receive immediate responses to their questions, helping to strengthen confidence in both the products and TENERGY's services.

A total of 38 Solar Home Systems were sold during the event, comprising 37 PAYGo sales and one cash sale, resulting in a complete sell-out of the available stock. Demand was particularly strong for the HomePlus Pro system, highlighting an increasing preference for higher-capacity solar solutions that can support both household and productive energy needs.

The engagement also provided valuable market insights. PAYGo financing remains the preferred purchasing option for most customers, while product demonstrations continue to play a critical role in influencing purchasing decisions. The activity further revealed growing interest from business owners who increasingly view solar energy as a tool for improving productivity and supporting income-generating activities.

The Engutwini market support activity forms part of TENERGY's broader commitment to expanding access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy solutions across Malawi. Through continued community engagement and strategic partnerships, TENERGY remains dedicated to empowering underserved communities and improving livelihoods through sustainable energy access.

TENERGY Selected for Malawi's ASCENT Energy Access Programme February 2026

ASCENT Programme

TENERGY Limited is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted by the Ministry of Energy and Mining as one of only eight participating organizations under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Malawi Project, Component 2: Off-Grid Connection through Solar Home Systems.

The ASCENT Malawi Project is a World Bank-funded initiative supporting Malawi's ambition to increase electricity access to at least 70% by 2030. Through the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund (NNNF), the programme provides financing and Results-Based Financing (RBF) grants to qualified off-grid solar companies.

The eight shortlisted organizations include Integrated Water and Energy Technologies Limited Company, Sun King (MW) Limited, TENERGY Limited, Vitalite Group Limited, Perennial Holdings Limited, Zuwa Energy (Pty) Limited, ENGIE Energy Access Zambia/Ignite Energy Access, and BeeBeeJump Technology Company Limited.

TENERGY's selection reflects the company's commitment to delivering affordable, reliable, and high-quality solar energy solutions to rural and underserved communities throughout Malawi.

Through its Pay-As-You-Go model, TENERGY has enabled thousands of households and businesses to access clean electricity, improving quality of life and creating new economic opportunities.

The ASCENT programme is expected to connect approximately 811,000 households, representing more than 3.4 million people, with off-grid solar energy solutions. Participation in the programme presents a major opportunity for TENERGY to expand its impact and contribute significantly to Malawi's national electrification goals.

TENERGY Partners with REACT Systems to Strengthen Local Innovation 2026

As Malawi continues to face foreign exchange challenges affecting access to international software and digital services, TENERGY Limited made a strategic decision to partner with REACT Systems, a locally developed Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform built specifically for the off-grid energy sector.

The partnership enables TENERGY to efficiently manage customer registrations, system installations, payment tracking, and after-sales support while reducing dependence on foreign-based platforms that require payments in foreign currency.

REACT Systems is integrated with the PayChangu payment gateway, making it easier for customers to manage their solar accounts. Customers can purchase tokens, check balances, and access account services through USSD by dialing:

*584*22#

This service works without internet access or a smartphone, making it highly accessible for customers in rural and underserved communities.

By leveraging locally developed technology, TENERGY is strengthening operational efficiency while supporting Malawi's growing digital innovation ecosystem. The partnership demonstrates how local solutions can successfully address local challenges while delivering exceptional customer experiences.

As TENERGY continues expanding access to affordable solar energy, collaborations with innovative Malawian technology companies such as REACT Systems remain essential in building sustainable, customer-centered energy services across the country.

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