Archive for category: Technology

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Women in India’s Cybersecurity Workforce

A diverse group of women collaborating on computers in an office. women in India's Cybersecurity WorkforceIndia is one of its biggest sources of tech talent globally and therefore more prone to cyberattacks. CERT-In, the government’s cyber emergency response team, logged more than 2.9 million cybersecurity incidents in 2025 alone, and the country now needs an estimated 3 million cybersecurity professionals against fewer than 200,000 trained practitioners, according to industry estimates. As the country and the global economy push deeper into digital banking, e-governance, and cloud infrastructure, closing the gender gap in its cybersecurity workforce is shifting from a diversity talking point to a national necessity.

Cybersecurity as an Economic Pillar

Cybersecurity is a pillar of economic stability, national security and a source of public trust, according to UN Women. However, women are largely excluded from the field, which is particularly striking given that women make up 48% of India’s population, with current estimates placing the population at approximately 702 million, according to United Nations population data.

How Big the Problem Is in India

The demand for professionals working in cybersecurity in India has increased by roughly 215% between the first and second half of fiscal year 2024 (FY24) alone, according to Quess Corp. Recruitment firm TeamLease Digital projects that women’s participation across India’s tech workforce as a whole will only reach 14.9% by 2027, up from 10.8% in 2022, with roughly 1.92 million women currently working in Indian tech. Within cybersecurity specifically, industry body NASSCOM has noted that women make up only around 25% of the global workforce, and that women in India’s cybersecurity workforce has stayed largely the same even as job openings have multiplied.

There are other promising signs to note. Deloitte India’s Megha Goyal has pointed to roughly a 10 percentage point rise in women’s share of the country’s cybersecurity workforce over the past five to six years. Policies that are more parental-friendly and flexible aid in this. This issue highlights many challenges such as patchy access to technical education, bias in hiring and promotion, workplace discrimination, and a disproportionate share of unpaid caregiving. In India, geographical factors exacerbate these issues. Much of the country’s engineering talent, including a large share of its women graduates, comes from smaller tier II and tier III cities where exposure to cybersecurity as a career path is limited.

The Poverty Cost of the Gap

The cost of leaving women out of cybersecurity is not just a workforce statistic. It shows up in the bank accounts of India’s poorest households. Indians lost an estimated ₹22,495 crore (about $2.7 billion) to cyber fraud in 2025, with complaints rising 24% to roughly 2.81 million cases, according to government data. Research on victim patterns consistently finds that rural users, first-time digital adopters, and lower-income, lower-education households are the most vulnerable, targeted through UPI PIN scams, fake QR codes and task-based fraud schemes that exploit gaps in digital literacy rather than technical sophistication.

That vulnerability compounds existing poverty. A single scam can wipe out a family’s monthly income or the savings set aside for school fees or medical care, and the resulting distrust of digital tools can push already marginalized households away from the banking and government services meant to include them. A cybersecurity workforce that reflects the population it protects, including the rural and semi-urban communities many women technologists come from, is better positioned to design fraud protections and awareness campaigns that actually reach those communities. Bringing more women into the field, in other words, is a poverty-reduction strategy as much as a diversity one.

Why Different Teams Make Better Defenses

Cybersecurity researchers, in studies cited by ISC2 and UN Women, consistently find that mixed teams are better at spotting and responding to threats, and that systems built with women involved tend to serve a broader range of users well. This matters more given how disproportionately women and girls experience online harassment, cyberstalking and digital abuse.

Sarba Roy, a cybersecurity professional with 13 years of experience across India, Europe and the United States, has described a real shift in how companies think about this. Writing for ISC2’s Insights series, she pointed to a growing recognition that diverse teams make organizations more creative, improve decision-making and sharpen risk judgment. “Diverse teams improve creativity, decision making and risk mitigation,” she wrote, adding that an inclusive and diverse cybersecurity workforce “is not an option but a necessity given the multitude of attack vectors from across the world.”

India’s Own Pipeline: CyberShikshaa

CyberShikshaa is a joint program run by Microsoft and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) that has been in operation since 2018. One of its core initiatives is to train women engineering graduates from tier II and tier III cities and rural areas, in a four-month, full-time cybersecurity curriculum covering cryptography, network security, application security and digital forensics, backed by India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT.

The program’s eligibility rules tie it directly to poverty reduction: candidates must come from families earning below ₹7 lakh a year, or roughly $10,000, meaning it specifically targets women who would otherwise have the least access to a field that pays well above that threshold.

Since launch, more than 800 women from over 90 cities have completed the flagship training, with a placement rate of around 60% into roles across large technology firms, financial institutions, startups and law enforcement. Separately, NASSCOM Foundation has partnered with NortonLifeLock on a similar skills initiative, graduating 232 women engineers into the field.

The human impact behind these numbers is real. One graduate traveled more than 1,000 kilometers from her hometown to train at the program’s Noida center and landed a job at a multinational IT risk-management firm in Mumbai four months later. Another put it simply: “CyberShikshaa not only trained me for my career, but also instilled the belief in me that with the right direction I can reach great heights.”

A Safer Digital India

UN Women’s broader argument is that excluding women from cybersecurity leadership makes it harder for the world to respond to digital threats collectively. For India, where financial systems, health care infrastructure and government services are all rapidly digitizing, that argument carries particular weight.

Bringing more women into India’s cybersecurity workforce is not simply a fairness goal. It is one of the more practical steps the country can take to secure the systems its economy and its citizens increasingly depend on. Programs like CyberShikshaa show what that looks like in practice, and are worth scaling further.

– Jamie Noone

Jamie is based in Dublin and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How a Solar Project is Reducing Poverty in Cali, Colombia

poverty in CaliFor years, residents of Santiago de Cali have faced high electricity bills, carefully managing their appliance usage to avoid spikes in expenses.

In 2025, President Gustavo Petro’s government took action to lower their bills by implementing renewable energy as a cost-effective solution, and it is working. To address increasing household expenses in Colombia’s third-largest metropolitan area, Cali, the government collaborated with local utility program EMCALI to push the Hogares Energéticamente Sostenibles (Energy-Sustainable Homes) initiative, or Colombia Solar. The project’s goal extended beyond implementing sustainable energy infrastructure; it aimed to lift 2,000 low-income families in Cali out of poverty by reducing energy bills.

Simultaneously, it sought to lessen the government’s reliance on subsidization by reallocating money from energy subsidies to the solar initiative. This Cali-specific investment comprised 36,800 million Colombian pesos (COP), about $9 million.

Implementation and Impact

As of August 2025, Colombia Solar successfully installed photovoltaic systems in 1,860 low-income households in the Potrero Grande and Llano Verde neighborhoods, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma. In September of the same year, these programs urged the solar project to continue reducing poverty in Cali, aiming for their goal of 2,000 households.

The results have been significant. Increased solar energy usage has reduced most sustainable households’ electric bills by 40% to 60%, with some reporting no charges at all. “This program is a blessing. Before, I had to stop using the fan or blender because the energy consumption skyrocketed. We were paying up to 230,000 pesos a month; now the bill is down 100,000 pesos. It is a huge help for my family,” beneficiary Bellanira Guzmán said.

The Bigger Picture

Colombia Reports indicates that while extreme poverty has decreased in the last 10 years, urban poverty was still at 30% in 2022. Disparities have worsened in areas like food and housing deficiency in the last five years.

The city organizes its social classes in categories one through six, with six being the highest class and one the lowest. Neighborhoods are organized according to these metrics. This recent program, aimed at Cali’s three lowest social strata, relieved significant financial burdens on thousands of people dealing with these disparities.

Colombia Solar’s program has shown that measures of equity and renewability can have real, sustainable impacts on well-being. Aiming this initiative at Cali’s three lowest social strata has relieved significant financial burdens, allowing them to narrow the wealth gap with higher economic strata.

Beyond poverty reduction, Colombia Solar has impacted the country’s energy industry. From 2025 to 2026, Colombia’s solar energy market grew by 0.7%, showing its effect on larger markets as well as locally. The report estimates additional growth up to 8% by 2031.

This economic growth could potentially create 25,000 jobs in Colombia’s renewable energy industry nationwide as the broader Colombia Solar program, backed by a separate 8.35 trillion COP (about $2.2 billion) national investment, expands to more than 1 million low-income households between 2026 and 2030. The government already provides tax breaks and subsidies for businesses using renewable energy resources, covering installation costs.

While installations can be expensive, results clearly show that long-term savings on bills are worthwhile.

Why Cali’s Case Matters

The advantages of this solar project in Cali are abundant. It has brought prosperity to impoverished populations and positively impacted larger economic markets with job creation and the growth of renewable energy industries.

The use of renewable energy in Cali demonstrates that sustainability, poverty reduction and market prosperity can work together.

– Aren Lau

Aren is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Rising Incomes in Vietnam: New Businesses Opportunities

investment opportunities in VietnamEconomic growth in Vietnam has lifted millions of people out of poverty over several decades. As household incomes rise and the country’s middle class expands, consumer demand for goods and services continues to increase. These changes are creating new opportunities for international trade and investment, including U.S. companies seeking access to one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets.

Rising Incomes in Vietnam

Vietnam reduced the share of its population living in extreme poverty from more than 70% in the early 1990s to less than 1% in recent years, a feat widely recognized as one of the world’s “development miracles.” Strong export growth, industrial development and investment in education have contributed to rising living standards across the country. As more Vietnamese households gain purchasing power, businesses around the world are benefiting from a larger consumer market.

Vietnam’s middle class has grown rapidly alongside the country’s economic development. The World Bank projects that the middle class will expand from approximately 13% of the population to roughly 26% by 2026, making it the fastest-growing middle class in Southeast Asia. Rising incomes in Vietnam have increased demand for consumer goods, health care services, technology products and educational opportunities.

This shift has transformed Vietnam from a low-income economy into an increasingly important consumer market. Families that once focused primarily on basic necessities are now spending more on electronics, household products, travel and financial services. As a result, companies from the United States and other countries have expanded their presence in Vietnam to meet growing demand.

The growth of the middle class also supports broader economic stability. Increased consumer spending helps create jobs, encourages entrepreneurship and strengthens domestic markets. These trends contribute to continued poverty reduction while attracting foreign investment. However, challenges remain: nearly 40% of middle-class individuals have fallen back into lower income brackets within just two years, and housing costs remain a significant burden.

Growing Opportunities for US Businesses

The United States and Vietnam have strengthened economic ties in recent years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, bilateral trade between the two countries has increased significantly over the past decade, making Vietnam one of America’s largest trading partners in Southeast Asia. In Hai Phong alone, a major port city, exports to the U.S. reached approximately $2.14 billion in the first five months of 2026, a 23.20% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

U.S. companies have invested in a variety of sectors including technology, renewable energy, health care and consumer products. Vietnam’s growing population and expanding middle class provide opportunities for American businesses to reach new customers while supporting jobs in the United States. As of June 2026, U.S. investors had 35 active FDI projects in Hai Phong alone, totaling over $965.34 million in registered capital.

Technology companies, for example, have benefited from increased demand for smartphones, software and digital services. U.S. agricultural exporters have also gained access to a larger market as rising incomes increase demand for higher-quality food products. The Vietnamese government has specifically encouraged U.S. businesses to expand investment in high-tech, innovation and semiconductor industries.

Investment Supports Long-Term Growth

Foreign investment continues to play an important role in Vietnam’s development. International companies contribute capital, technology and expertise that support economic expansion and job creation. In turn, a stronger Vietnamese economy creates additional opportunities for trade and investment.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with Vietnam since 1991, investing in programs that have improved the lives of approximately 1 million persons with disabilities, spurred over $300 million in solar and wind investments, and helped modernize higher education. USAID has also supported Vietnam’s Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), which encourages provinces to improve governance and economic competitiveness.

Vietnam has also invested heavily in infrastructure, education and workforce development. Improvements in transportation networks, digital connectivity and manufacturing capacity have helped attract multinational companies seeking reliable production and distribution hubs. The World Bank projects Vietnam’s economy will continue growing at 7% to 8% annually, considerably higher than other ASEAN economies.

These investments support Sustainable Development Goal 1 by creating employment opportunities and increasing household incomes. They also help build a larger consumer base that can participate more actively in the global economy.

Looking Ahead

Vietnam’s progress in reducing poverty demonstrates how economic development can create mutual benefits for countries around the world. Rising incomes have improved living standards for millions of Vietnamese citizens while opening new markets for international businesses. A recent upgrade to upper-middle-income status reflects this remarkable transformation and rising incomes in Vietnam.

As Vietnam’s middle class continues to expand, opportunities for U.S. companies are likely to grow as well. The U.S. private sector, which spends nearly $1 trillion annually on research and development, is well-positioned to partner with Vietnam on technology, energy and digital infrastructure. Increased trade, investment and consumer demand highlight the connection between poverty reduction and economic opportunity. By supporting development and economic growth, countries can help create stronger markets that benefit businesses, workers and communities on both sides of the partnership.

– Angela Qi

Angela is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling Superbugs: Nanotechnology in India and Brazil

 

Nanotechnology in India and BrazilAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a real threat to vulnerable groups in developing countries. Low-income groups and populations living below the poverty line are disproportionately affected. Global research published in The Lancet expects AMR to cause 39 million deaths globally between 2025 and 2050.

The economic effects may cause significant losses globally. As the World Bank reported, by 2050 AMR is expected to lower the global gross domestic product (GDP) by around 3.8% annually, with 28 million people potentially slipping into poverty.

In biotechnology, nanotechnology promises new avenues for tackling superbugs in high-risk countries such as Brazil and India. By specifically targeting infections, nanoparticles can bypass resistance. This approach can reduce medication costs for low-income populations, positively affecting economic development.

Health Crisis in India and Brazil

India and Brazil are among the G20 countries with the highest proportion of people living below the extreme poverty line. Antibiotic resistance is disproportionately high among these populations. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, antibiotic resistance in India has caused 300,000 deaths annually since 1990, placing the country among those with the highest numbers.

In Brazil, approximately 32,000 deaths each year are attributed to antibiotic resistance, the highest rate among Latin American countries. The situation in both countries places enormous strain on their health care systems. Experts believe antibiotic resistance could trigger a serious health crisis, accompanied by rising public costs and a decline in GDP. For Brazil, the World Bank estimated a loss of 4.4% to 5.1%.

Poor hygiene standards, high settlement density, particularly in slums, contaminated water, and a lack of access to adequate medical care and infrastructure put people living in poverty at a higher risk of developing antibiotic resistance than those with higher incomes.

The situation worsens with the misuse of antibiotics. Individuals from low-income groups often take underdosed medications due to financial difficulties. Additionally, they share drugs with family or neighbors, resulting in insufficient doses. This allows stronger bacteria to survive and multiply with more resistance.

Furthermore, regulations in many regions encourage the misuse of antibiotics. Vendors often sell these medications over the counter as substandard or counterfeit products. This market promotes the growth of resistant bacteria and accelerates their spread.

Nanotechnology in India and Brazil

To counter the threat of antibiotic resistance in Brazil and India, cost-effective nanoparticles may provide promising solutions. Materials are used on a very small scale, allowing them to develop unique properties. Nanotechnology is used either as an antibiotic itself or as a carrier for antimicrobial agents to combat infections more effectively.

Nanoparticles, classified into metallic, organic, carbon-based, and hybrid systems, can bypass mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Their mode of action resembles a Trojan horse: transporting and protecting the antibiotic, they smuggle the active ingredient into the infected cell. Additionally, they can destroy biofilms, slime layers formed by resistant bacteria, penetrating the pathogen and damaging its proteins, enzymes and DNA.

Although India and Brazil lead in nanoparticle research, they face challenges in implementing nanotechnology to tackle superbugs in their health care systems. Besides concerns about environmental and biological risks, which require further research, developing countries face financial hurdles. Insufficient production capacity, supply chain difficulties and regulatory barriers hinder the fight against antibiotic resistance, trapping people below the poverty line in a cycle of illness and financial hardship.

Research and Development of Nanotechnology

Nonprofit organizations such as the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH) aim to tackle superbugs by providing financial support to biotech startups and fostering scientific collaboration. For example, the startup Module Innovations developed an ultra-fast diagnostic method using “Size Dependent Signal Amplification of Nanoparticles” (SDSAN). This method can detect urinary tract infections within 15 minutes. Over the next five years, the India AMR Innovation Hub plans to move 10 to 15 biotechnology projects, including nanotechnology initiatives, from the laboratory stage to the development phase.

The Brazilian National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LNNano) provides facilities and technical and scientific support for research into the effects of nanomaterials on biological systems and the environment. The development of nano-based drug delivery systems and nanoparticles with modified surfaces makes the fight against drug-resistant bacteria 10 times more effective.

Looking Ahead

To reduce the negative global impacts of antibiotic resistance in heavily affected countries such as India and Brazil, international development aid and policy initiatives are crucial for improving the health of people living in extreme poverty. By promoting the development of appropriate infrastructure for production and distribution and supporting governments in establishing regulatory frameworks, nanotechnologies in India’s and Brazil’s health care systems could create millions of jobs worldwide and boost global GDP. Moreover, millions of lives can be saved.

– Oliwia Kowalak

Oliwia is based in Berlin, Germany and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Solar-Powered Water Solutions in Djibouti Provide Clean Water

Solar-Powered Water Solutions in DjiboutiAccess to clean water in Djibouti is an ongoing issue. Government neglect, especially in rural areas, and scarcity of natural rainwater leave many Djiboutians struggling to find sufficient water for survival. According to the World Bank, in 2026, Djibouti has renewable water sources of only 185 cubic meters of water per person per year, far below the threshold of 500 cubic meters considered absolute water scarcity.

Droughts in Djibouti lead to displacement and food insecurity. Poor Djiboutians already have little access to clean water and food, and droughts exacerbate these struggles, especially in rural areas (pp. 1, 3). More than 80% of those in urban areas have access to clean drinking water, while that portion is less than 50% in rural areas. However, recent developments in solar-powered water solutions have the potential to provide dependable, clean water to many regions.

Innovative Desalination Technology

Lake Ghoubet and Lake Holhol are two prominent examples of solar-powered water solutions in Djibouti. After experimentation, the solar-powered desalination plant at Lake Ghoubet proved much more effective than the solar-powered water pump at Lake Holhol. Arid land makes it difficult to pull water from the ground, and it is more efficient and effective to use solar power to desalinate abundant seawater.

In less than a year, the solar-powered desalination plant at Lake Ghoubet produced 10 million liters of fresh water, enough to meet basic needs in a small area.

Romain Sormani, director of Impact Water Solutions, said, “We are particularly proud of the success of this impact project, which on its own meets no less than five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” a reflection on the potential that this technology has in improving the lives of those struggling with access to clean water.

Impact Water Solutions continues to focus on communities with limited support to create sustainable water purification systems to alleviate issues with access to water in Djibouti.

Benefits of Solar-Powered Water Solutions in Djibouti

Solar-powered desalination offers several benefits for Djibouti, including:

  • Abundant sunlight: In a 2021 study, Turkish engineers measured the sunlight in Djibouti to be more than 3,000 hours per year and the solar radiation to be 2,300 kWh/m2/year, placing it among locations with the strongest solar radiation on Earth (p. 312).
  • Abundant seawater: Djibouti is located along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with Djibouti City on the coast, providing abundant saltwater from the strait. Using this solar power, Djibouti has massive renewable resources of saltwater and sunlight.

Droughts are a significant factor of poverty in Djibouti. They cause crop shortages so severe that Djibouti has to import 90% of its food from other countries. Furthermore, market fluctuations in foreign countries, over which Djibouti has no control, mean that the prices of imported food change unpredictably.

However, solar-powered desalination provides clean water for Djiboutians without much dependence on international markets to provide food and water, turning Djibouti into a more independent and stable society.

Funding and Chinese Involvement

UNICEF and the Chinese government have partnered to execute a project to create water purification facilities in Djibouti, which they expect to benefit more than 120,000 people in rural and peri-urban areas of Djibouti.

The project will produce dependable and safe water resources for Djibouti, especially those in rural areas, who suffer most from water scarcity. UNICEF will train local people to maintain facilities to allow Djibouti to remain independent and self-sufficient after the project finishes in 2028.

Looking Forward

Nascent efforts demonstrate the powerful potential of this technology. With stable funding and continuous support from foreign countries, Djibouti can develop dependable and effective technology to minimize water issues within the entire country. With mitigated water concerns, Djiboutians can live more stable lives and turn their attention toward intellectual advancements and international presence rather than only survival.

– Amber Mantiply

Amber is based in Silver Spring, MD, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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BrightNest School: A Pathway out Being Poor in Sri Lanka

A group of Sri Lankan students in uniforms smiling in a classroom setting. Being BrightNest SchoolIn Northern Sri Lanka, poverty is not always visible to an outsider. Beautiful turquoise shores lie alongside the Jaffna peninsula, a rich cultural hotspot laden with Tamil heritage and lush vegetation. Yet alongside Jaffna’s beauty lies another reality.

A Hidden Struggle

Although Sri Lanka now boasts improved public school investments and a 92% literacy rate for both genders, one of the highest in South Asia, students in low-income villages still encounter barriers that hinder their academic and career prospects. Nonprofit organizations such as BrightNest are working to bridge these gaps through expanded classroom instruction, mentorship, and English lessons for local low-income children.

BrightNest’s founder Renuka Deva and her daughter, Board Chair Elect Sonali Anderson, witnessed these disparities firsthand during their annual visits to family in Northern Sri Lanka. While enjoying fresh coconut water and vibrant Nallur festival processions, they also encountered children standing along busy roads searching for spare change, snacks, and clothes.

The Scope of the Opportunity Gap

These experiences represent broader opportunity gaps across the nation. According to UNICEF Sri Lanka, only 20% of students from low-income families complete secondary education, compared with 70% of students from higher-income families. Combined with gendered expectations around work and marriage, graduation rates decline even more for young women.

More than 23,000 households in Jaffna are at or below the poverty line, and financial struggles are especially prevalent in nearby Northern villages including Killinochchi, Mullativu, and Mannar, three of the reddest zones on Sri Lanka’s poverty map. Without structured teaching or resource access, youth struggle to develop the English proficiency, critical thinking, and technical skills needed for higher education and employment.

The World Bank flags this phenomenon as “learning poverty,” or the inability to read and understand basic texts by age 10. This barrier perpetuates cyclical poverty across developing nations, limiting a person’s capacity for economic mobility, self-actualization, and intellectual growth.

Impact of BrightNest

Recognizing these challenges, Renuka Deva founded BrightNest in Kanadarodai in 2020. Since then, the nonprofit has provided English-language education, leadership training, and digital literacy support to more than 800 students between the ages of 5 and 12. Through a two-fold teaching model, the school prioritizes educating students and teachers to improve higher education and career-building opportunities for both groups.

Although English is a required subject in government schools across Jaffna, many classrooms lack sufficient opportunities for student participation, conversation, or one-to-one instruction. BrightNest works to complement English learning through small classes that prioritize teamwork, group speaking opportunities, and online practice.

As BrightNest’s director and volunteer coordinator, Sonali Anderson has watched students who initially hesitated to speak in English gradually become confident communicators and emerging leaders within their schools. Her lessons continue to reveal the value of peer support in creating effective literacy outcomes and engagement.

Looking Ahead

By combining interactive group lessons with individualized teaching, BrightNest is equipping young people with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed for long-term educational and economic opportunities. The organization plans to expand its efforts by opening a new school that will reach even more children across Northern Sri Lanka. As the Deva family believes, every child is a spark of potential waiting to shine.

– Natasha Agarwal

Natasha is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Solar Energy in Malawi Is Creating Economic Opportunity

Solar Energy in MalawiReliable electricity can transform a community by creating new business opportunities and improving access to essential services. Across Malawi, government agencies and international organizations are using solar energy and expanded electricity access to help reduce poverty and strengthen local economies.

Expanding Electricity Access

Malawi has made significant progress in expanding electricity access, yet many rural communities still rely on traditional energy sources. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), increasing access to reliable and affordable electricity remains essential for supporting economic development and reducing poverty across the country.

The Government of Malawi has prioritized universal energy access through national policies that encourage investment in renewable energy and off-grid solutions. The Ministry of Energy works with development partners and private companies to expand electricity access while promoting sustainable economic growth and greater resilience for rural communities.

Major Initiatives

One of the country’s largest initiatives, the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP), brought together the Government of Malawi, the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), and the World Bank to expand both national grid connections and solar home systems. The project exceeded its original goals, providing electricity access to nearly 2 million people and supporting the installation of nearly 257,000 solar home systems.

Solar energy has also created new economic opportunities through the Off-Grid Market Development fund, known locally as the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee fund. The initiative has partnered with private solar companies to make renewable energy systems more affordable for low-income households and reached its initial goal of electrifying 200,000 households ahead of schedule. The program helps families and small businesses benefit from reliable electricity without waiting for national grid expansion.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Reliable electricity creates opportunities for entrepreneurship by allowing businesses to extend operating hours and adopt new technologies. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) identifies decentralized renewable energy as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, particularly in rural communities where access to affordable electricity can support small enterprises and create new sources of income.

Women have also benefited from expanded energy access. According to the World Bank, female-headed households received 41% of the off-grid solar systems distributed through MEAP, exceeding the project’s original gender target. Access to electricity has enabled many women to establish phone-charging businesses and other small enterprises that generate additional household income.

Future Projects

Malawi continues to build on this progress through the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) project. ESCOM and the Government of Malawi are implementing the initiative with World Bank support to increase national electricity access from 25.9% to 50% by 2030 while expanding clean and affordable energy solutions for households and businesses.

Solar energy is doing more than powering homes across Malawi. Investments from the Government of Malawi, the World Bank, ESCOM, SEforALL, and private-sector partners are creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and helping improve quality of life. As renewable energy initiatives continue to expand, Malawi is building a more sustainable future where greater electricity access can help reduce poverty and support long-term economic growth.

– Archie Monton-Black

Archie is based in Bedford, UK and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Rawpixel

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Solar Power and Education in Rwanda

Rwandan landscape with solar panels installed on a rural building's roof. Education in rwandaOne of the most densely populated countries in Africa, Rwanda is home to nearly 5.8 million children under the age of 18. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), nearly 98% of children attend primary education, representing a drastic growth in education rates for the developing nation. Rwanda’s university rates soar with nearly 136,000 students pursuing higher education, drastically improving their rates since 2000.

Education is an imperative method to alleviate poverty. Providing students with knowledge to enter the workforce, Rwanda has expanded its school system to rural communities over the last two decades. A major reason behind this growth is the expansive usage of solar power in Rwanda to empower schools. Partnering with the company Ignite Power, the nation’s work helps millions access education. Teaching needed digital literacy, basic reading and math, this initiative alleviates poverty through strategic growth in the classrooms. This partnership helps Rwandan children grow and learn through the use of solar power.

Using Solar Power in Rwanda

Rwanda’s educational enrollment rates are at a historic high. Yet, this was not always the case. Tackling low youth development initiatives, the Rwandan government partners with Ignite Power to bring clean energy to every corner of the nation. Ignite Power is a leading solar company operating in Africa, helping other countries brighten homes and classrooms. The organization has already connected more than 2 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa to clean energy since 2014.

The terrain and lifestyle of Rwandan people make traditional electricity grids impractical. A total of 83% of families live in rural communities and lack existing infrastructure that could illuminate classrooms. This detailed expansion aims to solar-electrify 955 off-grid, rural schools, ensuring equal opportunity for the majority of impoverished students. Solar power bypasses infrastructure delays and high costs. Ignite Power utilizes solar kits to provide immediate and affordable solutions. These sustainable systems bring reliable electricity directly to rural classrooms, ushering in new modern learning.

Expanding Education in Rwanda

The new use of solar power in Rwanda elevates the abilities of rural education. By brightening classrooms, students thrive through centralized community locations in regional villages. This nationwide initiative helps nearly 400,000 students by providing them with access to modern digital literacy. Schools teach high-demand skills. Focusing on technology and daily business skills, Rwanda focuses its education priorities on applicable skills for a sustainable life.

Reliable solar power revamps education. Schools operate computers and thrive upon digital literacy programs. These programs are expected to rise from 41.1% to 65% by 2029. Ignite Power is not the only company helping to illuminate classrooms. International organizations like Little Sun and local partners like Safer Rwanda also provide solar chargers and tools, successfully reaching over 35,000 children and 800 teachers in Rwandan schools. Teachers now stay connected and can download ebooks to help increase literacy rates among children.

Connection Between Poverty and Education

Every solar panel helps bridge the opportunity gap. Each one fosters Rwanda’s emergence into the global economy. Rural students now thrive alongside their urban peers. With clean and sustainable energy, rural schools build strong connections through digital access. Solar power empowers these communities economically, teaching students to learn competitive techniques to lead the modern workforce. Furthermore, providing universal power and internet access through solar satellite terminals allows rural institutions to eliminate the digital divide, allowing impoverished students to study on an equal playing field. According to the World Bank, each additional year of schooling increases individual hourly earnings by an average of 12.4%, a finding echoed by research on solar electrification’s classroom impact.

Alleviating Poverty

Solar power in Rwanda is paving the way for a stronger education system. The benefits of renewable energy shine far beyond the final school bell. With Ignite Power’s solar power lamps, millions of new Rwandan students gain study materials and a bright environment in their homes. With millions of cumulative study hours, these students excel in their lessons. Ignite Power’s solar lamps and other local initiatives increase evening study hours for children by 28%, ultimately reducing dropout rates and improving grades. Solar energy fosters higher retention rates, better digital understanding and increases academic success. By bringing sunlight to schools across the nation, students shine the brightest and communities build long-term hope. Providing a strong path toward education through solar power, Rwandans uplift their economy and slowly break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.

– Maya Tung

Maya is based in Summit, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Telehealth in Uganda: Redefining Health Services

Telehealth in UgandaRural Uganda is home to nearly 68% of the country’s population, leaving many communities without nearby health care facilities. Although Uganda’s Ministry of Health has expanded the number of centers, a significant divide between the amount of care in urban and rural settings remains. Rural Uganda is home to communities where telehealth is driving improvements in medical services for people living in the country’s more vulnerable environments.

About 20% of the country’s citizens live in poverty. Children make up roughly half of Uganda’s population, meaning many of those living in poverty are minors. Seven out of 10 households rely on agriculture for income, while one in three depend on their own production for food. With rising inflation, food insecurity has increased, while the affordability of health care has not changed. As many villages are far from facilities, many communities opt for more holistic medicinal approaches.

The Rise of Telehealth

Telehealth is the use of technology in health care that allows for care delivery, information and education to be completed remotely. Advances in telecommunication health applications have expanded access to health care for people living in rural and underserved areas, creating better quality and reach of care.

Like many other countries, Uganda adopted telehealth during COVID-19 to educate health care workers and communities on prevention, symptom identification and treatment. These digital platforms provided Community Health Workers (CHW) support in diagnosing patients, while also supplying medicine and other necessary materials needed during the pandemic.

The Importance of Kaaro Health

As telehealth reaches more parts of Uganda, Kaaro Health has been financing health care groups by providing infrastructure changes and medical equipment. According to Kaaro Health, “[They] are committed to ensuring that regardless of whether people live in rural or urban areas, they should be able to access high-quality secondary and tertiary medical care.”

Kaaro Health uses “simple mobile technologies” to combat the challenges of limited access to electricity. The organization has funded and engineered renewable energy solutions like solar-powered lights, generators and incinerators. These resources have allowed Kaaro Health to deploy telehealth clinics to rural and peri-urban villages. Many of these communities are located more than 25 kilometers from medical sites.

To continue its support for sustainable medical care, Kaaro Health has collaborated with local groups to identify those most in need of services, while also working with international partners like GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) to improve quality within the country. Although the organization has driven expansion, it attributes much of its success to the communities and workers who have started and operated Kaaro’s services.

By 2020, Kaaro Health had trained 200 rural nurses and health care workers in mental health services to address challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has established 71 clinics, decreasing the distance these communities have to travel to their nearest medical center.

The Future of Telehealth in Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies three objectives for advancing online health: providing digital solutions and standards, enhancing medical knowledge, and supplying countries with solutions specific to their needs. WHO has said, “Digital health can help make health systems more efficient and sustainable, enabling them to deliver good quality, affordable and equitable care.”

As Uganda continues to expand online health care, telehealth providers are funding new technologies that will improve health care and create better efficiency to serve larger numbers of patients. Telehealth in Uganda is an emerging field, and with continued investments, expansion throughout the country will increase affordability and availability of online consultations.

– Jacquelyn Orr

Jacquelyn is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Solar Mamas Reduce Poverty in Zanzibar

Women assembling solar panels, showcasing Solar Mamas empowerment in Zanzibar. Poverty in ZanzibarAccess to electricity remains a challenge for many families in Zanzibar. According to Power Africa, only half of Zanzibar’s 1.6 million residents have access to electricity. Limited access to reliable energy affects education, health care and economic opportunities, particularly in rural communities. Poverty also remains a significant challenge in Zanzibar. According to the World Bank, about 43% of the population in Tanzania lives below the international poverty line for lower-middle-income countries, making access to affordable energy and stable sources of income especially important. The Solar Mamas program is helping address these challenges by training women as solar engineers who bring renewable energy to underserved villages throughout the archipelago.

What Is the Solar Mamas Program?

The Solar Mamas initiative is part of Barefoot College International, an organization that trains women from rural communities as solar engineers regardless of their age or formal education. Participants complete several months of hands-on training before returning home with the skills needed to install, repair and maintain solar energy systems in their villages. The program focuses on women because they often play central roles in supporting their families and sharing knowledge throughout their communities.

Many rural communities in Zanzibar remain beyond the reach of reliable power infrastructure. Solar Mamas help close this gap by installing solar home systems that provide clean and dependable electricity. Access to electricity allows children to study after sunset, improves household safety and enables health care facilities to provide more reliable services.

The program also reduces families’ dependence on kerosene. Barefoot College reports that some rural households burn as much as 60 liters of kerosene each year for lighting. Replacing kerosene lamps with solar power lowers household energy costs while reducing indoor air pollution, creating both economic and health benefits for families.

Creating Economic Opportunities for Women

Beyond expanding access to electricity, the Solar Mamas program creates new economic opportunities for women. Graduates use their technical skills to install and maintain solar systems while earning an income and strengthening their financial independence. Many participants also train other community members, helping expand local expertise and creating additional employment opportunities.

Reliable electricity also supports local economic growth. Small businesses can stay open later, students have more time to complete schoolwork and health clinics can safely refrigerate medicines and vaccines. Together, these improvements strengthen communities and help create conditions that support long-term poverty reduction in Zanzibar.

Looking Ahead

Barefoot College Zanzibar has demonstrated measurable success since opening its regional training center in 2015. The organization has trained 65 women from Zanzibar as solar engineers. Those graduates have helped bring electricity to 1,858 households across 29 villages, expanding access to clean energy while creating new leadership and employment opportunities for women.

As Barefoot College continues to expand its programs across East Africa, the Solar Mamas initiative demonstrates how renewable energy can do more than provide electricity. By equipping women with technical skills and helping communities transition to sustainable energy, the program is improving education, supporting health care and creating lasting economic opportunities. Its success shows that investing in women and clean energy can play an important role in reducing poverty.

– Violette Bardouil

Violette is based in Paris, France and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr