Why do many households in Malawi rely on firewood for energy?

In Malawi, the reliance on firewood for domestic energy is primarily due to the limited availability of electric power for the general population. While the country utilizes hydroelectric schemes and diesel plants to generate electricity, only a small fraction of Malawians have access to these services.1

The national power supply is further constrained by several factors that lead to irregular availability and load shedding:

• Environmental Impact: Deforestation near river sources has reduced water flow, which negatively impacts the currents of the Shire River, where key hydroelectric plants are located.1
• Economic Challenges: The devaluation of the national currency, the Malawi kwacha, has made it difficult and expensive to procure necessary spare parts for power infrastructure.1

Consequently, because electricity is largely directed toward industrial areas and major estates, most households must rely on firewood to meet their daily energy needs.1