On 26–27 November 2025, Lilongwe became the hub for energy efficiency dialogue as EELA convened a National Stakeholder Workshop in partnership with Malawi’s Ministry of Energy. The event brought together policymakers, standards bodies, manufacturers, retailers, customs officials, and electricity utilities to raise awareness, build capacity, and spark collaboration on designing and implementing national energy efficiency programs aligned with regional harmonization goals.

The recognition of energy efficiency’s transformative role united participants, as emphasized by Joseph Kalowekamo, Director of Energy at the Ministry of Energy, in his opening remarks:

“This National EELA Stakeholder Workshop we are having comes at a very important time for Malawi,” he stated. “Our economy is under pressure from high cost of living, increasing electricity demand, and the urgent need to expand access to clean and modern energy services, especially in rural areas. Energy efficiency is one of the fastest, cheapest, and cleanest sources of energy we have. We, therefore, need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Building on this momentum, the EELA team, represented by Readlay Makaliki, Lead Technical Expert at SACREEE, and Asteria Markus, Program Support Officer at SACREEE, outlined the role of energy efficiency in strengthening energy security and driving development. Over two days, presentations covered regional compliance frameworks for EELA policies, guidelines for energy-efficient public procurement, and an overview of regional MEPS for lighting and cooling appliances. A participatory approach ensured inclusion and alignment among partners, culminating in a validation exercise to prioritize products for implementation across countries.

Current Status of Energy Efficiency Policy Implementation in Malawi

Malawi has made significant strides toward promoting energy efficiency as part of its broader energy security and sustainability agenda. The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) is at the forefront of these efforts, operating under the mandate of the Energy Regulation Act and aligned with the National Energy Policy (NEP 2018, reinforced in NEP 2025). MERA has introduced a comprehensive approach that includes energy performance standards and labelling requirements for equipment, ensuring compliance with minimum efficiency criteria. MBS reported that two standards (MS1800 and MS1835) based on SADC Harmonized text were adopted by 2024, covering lighting and distribution transformers. ESCOM detailed their energy efficiency initiatives to replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs saving 65 MW in 2011 while LED bulbs initiative saved 27MW in 2015 and 9.6MW in 2024, respectively.

Additionally, energy management regulations are being developed to guide efficient purchasing, operation, equipment upgrades, and facility design. Key initiatives include structured energy management programs, energy auditing and accounting processes, demand-side management strategies, and the adoption of energy efficiency guidelines in 2022. These measures aim to promote economic energy use across households, commercial, and industrial sectors, involving stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and utilities.

This clear policy direction has already delivered tangible results. Energy-efficient lighting initiatives have generated major savings, and energy access has climbed to 26%, up from 11% in 2018. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly limited technical capacity, weak compliance monitoring, and poor coordination. Strengthening partnerships with institutions like the Malawi Bureau of Standards and the Ministry of Energy is therefore critical.

Key Highlights and Reflections from the Workshop

Discussions during the workshop reinforced three main priorities for the future:

• Energy Efficiency as a Strategic Priority
  Participants agreed that energy efficiency is essential for energy security, cost reduction, and environmental protection. Improving efficiency reduces pressure on infrastructure investment and mitigates reliance on imported energy resources.
• Need for Regulatory Instruments
  While the Energy Regulation Act provides a mandate, specific enforceable regulations are still lacking. Standards such as MEPS and labeling exist but remain voluntary unless backed by regulation. Moving toward mandatory compliance was seen as crucial.
• Capacity Gaps
  Technical capacity for testing and certification is limited, especially for complex products like transformers. Energy auditing lacks an accreditation system, undermining credibility, and weak border surveillance allows non-compliant products to enter the market.

Looking Ahead

During the discussions, participants emphasized that the way forward should include enforceable regulations under the Energy Regulation Act, the introduction of mandatory standards and labelling, and the establishment of a national accreditation system for energy auditors. They also highlighted the need to strengthen market surveillance through improved border control and pre-shipment verification, while embedding energy efficiency principles into education and public procurement policies. Expanding efforts beyond lighting to cover appliances and building codes was considered essential, alongside leveraging regional collaboration and international best practices to accelerate progress.