The Participants of the EnergiseHer internship programme.
In Malawi, young women with technical backgrounds often struggle to take their first professional steps in the energy sector. EnDev’s initiatve EnergiseHer! demonstrates how targeted internships can help bridge this gap between education and employment.
Despite growing demand for skilled professionals, many young women in Malawi face limited access to relevant professional development opportunities in the energy sector. Cultural and societal norms can discourage the participation of women in technical fields, making it more difficult for them to gain practical experience and enter the labour market.
To address this gap, EnDev Malawi partnered with Green Girls Platform, a Malawian organisation promoting girls’ education and leadership in science and technology. Together, they implemented EnergiseHer!, an internship stipend fund under EnDev’s Putting Energy To Work! component, co-financed by the European Union. By creating and funding internship opportunities, EnergiseHer! supported young women to move from education into meaningful employment in the energy sector.
Learning by doing in the energy sector
A young women installing a solar panel.
Ten young women spent six months in different Malawian energy companies active in last-mile solar solutions, solar irrigation systems, mini-grids and clean cooking technologies. They took on tasks that ranged from technical installation to customer engagement and business development. Working directly within energy companies and contributing to daily operations allowed the young professionals to apply their skills in real-world settings.
One of the participants was Mervis Banda, a graduate in food technology, who completed her internship at Smart Energy Enterprise, an off-grid renewable energy company. There, she worked on off-grid solar irrigation systems and conducted field visits with smallholder farmers. During the internship Mervis gained insight into how energy solutions directly affect agricultural productivity. “Learning to install solar irrigation systems and seeing their impact on farmers’ lives was the most rewarding part of my placement,” Mervis reflects.
While the internship strengthened her technical skills and clarified her career direction, the programme also delivered value for participating companies. Gift Mwangairo, Director of Smart Energy Enterprise, notes:“Through the programme we saw Mervis grow from a learner into a capable team member. She brought value, skills and innovative ideas to the team.”
“Women belong at the forefront of the energy transition“
Gertrude is receiving her certificate.
Following the internships, three participants secured permanent positions with their host companies, while five transitioned into roles with other organisations. Two participants are currently exploring their next professional steps, one of whom has started her own small business. Through these outcomes, EnergiseHer! demonstrated how practical experience can translate into concrete career opportunities. The initiatives expanded opportunities for women in the energy sector and contributed to a more inclusive energy transition in Malawi.
Beyond technical training, the programme also strengthened participants’ confidence and sense of professional identity. For Gertrude Ng’oma, who now works as an Energy Officer after completing her internship, the impact went beyond employment: “EnergiseHer showed me that women belong at the forefront of the energy transition, not as spectators, but as leaders and innovators”, she says.
More voices from the programme
EnergiseHer! brought together young women from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of skills needed across Malawi’s energy sector. Read their stories.
Chisomo Sendeza, a Renewable Energy Engineering graduate, completed internships with Community Energy Malawi and Recapo Solar Systems. For her, the most valuable aspect was gaining hands-on technical experience, particularly in solar home system installation and mini-grid maintenance. After her internships, Chisomo transitioned into a graduate trainee role with a renewable energy consultancy, further strengthening her technical profile.
Gertrude Ng’oma, a biomedical engineering graduate, joined Green Impact Technology, where she worked on installing solar streetlights, fridges and water pumps, supported proposal development and represented the company at exhibitions and stakeholder events. The internship helped her strengthen both technical and business skills and confirm her career direction. She now works as an Energy Officer.
Mervis Banda, a food technology graduate, completed her internship at Smart Energy Enterprise. She worked on off-grid solar irrigation systems and conducted field visits with smallholder farmers, gaining insight into how energy solutions directly affect agricultural productivity
Liness Makungwa, a graduate in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Engineering, worked as a District Sales Officer intern with Zuwa Energy. Her role involved customer engagement, field visits and sales of solar products in rural areas. Through this experience, she observed how productive use of energy technologies enable households and small businesses to improve their livelihoods. She has since taken the next step in her career as a Junior Metallurgist
Chisomo Sendeza, a Renewable Energy Engineering graduate, completed internships with Community Energy Malawi and Recapo Solar Systems. For her, the most valuable aspect was gaining hands-on technical experience, particularly in solar home system installation and mini-grid maintenance. After her internships, Chisomo transitioned into a graduate trainee role with a renewable energy consultancy, further strengthening her technical profile.
Gertrude Ng’oma, a biomedical engineering graduate, joined Green Impact Technology, where she worked on installing solar streetlights, fridges and water pumps, supported proposal development and represented the company at exhibitions and stakeholder events. The internship helped her strengthen both technical and business skills and confirm her career direction. She now works as an Energy Officer.
Mervis Banda, a food technology graduate, completed her internship at Smart Energy Enterprise. She worked on off-grid solar irrigation systems and conducted field visits with smallholder farmers, gaining insight into how energy solutions directly affect agricultural productivity
Liness Makungwa, a graduate in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Engineering, worked as a District Sales Officer intern with Zuwa Energy. Her role involved customer engagement, field visits and sales of solar products in rural areas. Through this experience, she observed how productive use of energy technologies enable households and small businesses to improve their livelihoods. She has since taken the next step in her career as a Junior Metallurgist
If you click on any of these links you are redirected to the respective platform, where personal data is collected. For more information read the Privacy Policy).
After five years of dedicated implementation, the “Promotion of Climate-Friendly Cooking Project” in Kenya and Senegal came to a successful close in September 2025. Jointly financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the German …
EnDev, in collaboration with the local company SANUVA specialized in waste management and circular economy solutions, organized a hands-on training session. The training aimed at strengthening the technical and recycling …
