From Scarcity to Solar Power: How Samuel Built a Thriving Business in Malawi

In a quiet village of Mponera, Malawi, a determined young man named Samuel once struggled to feed his family. Like many others, he grew up in a family that had little to spare.  

“Back then, we didn’t have enough food. We lacked water, and we didn’t even have soap,” he recalls. “Aside from lacking capital, we also didn’t have knowledge in marketing, savings, and managing business.” 

In his early days, Samuel sold cassava and tomatoes in the local market to get by. But with an income of just MWK 2,000 ($1) a day, his income was barely enough to buy the day’s meals. He had dreams of running his own business. But with no capital and no business skills, those dreams felt far away. 

One day, field officers from VisionFund, the financial inclusion arm of World Vision, visited his community. He was curious and so he and his group decided to invite them. 

Samuel was part of a youth arts group that began in 2017 and later transitioned into a savings group in 2018. The group was not only a place to save money, but also a space for learning and mutual encouragement. By 2021, they officially became part of VisionFund Malawi under the FAST programme for savings groups. 

That same year, Samuel took his first individual loan of MWK 50,000 ($29) from VisionFund Malawi. It may not sound like much, but to him, it was life changing. He used it as capital to expand his cassava and tomato business. 

With time, his confidence grew. In 2023, Samuel taught himself how to cut hair and decided to open a small barbershop, recognizing a gap in his community.  

“There was no barbershop in our area,” he says. “So, I started one myself.” 

His second loan, amounting to MWK 280,000 ($160) in 2024, helped him purchase a solar panel, which he used to power both his mobile phone charging business and his barbershop equipment. Soon after, he took his third loan of MWK100,000 ($57) in 2025, investing in an extra solar panel and more equipment for his growing enterprise. 

Samuel’s barbershop is now a busy hub in the village. What started as a one-man effort has grown into a small business that employs two people.  

“I feel good to provide jobs, especially because there’s scarcity of jobs in our community,” he says. 

With his income now reaching MWK 14,000 per day ($8), Samuel’s life looks very different. His modest home has improved. He can now afford to buy food, pay for his child’s pre-school fees, and cover his family’s daily needs.  

But Samuel’s dreams aren’t done yet. With the help of his savings group, which now uses DreamSave, a digital platform that promotes transparency and makes recordkeeping easier, he continues to plan bigger ventures. 

He recently bought three acres of land, where he plants vegetables, tomatoes, and peas. He also rents land for maize farming.  

“My dream is to become a prominent farmer and own a company that manufactures maize flour,” he says. 

Samuel’s next goal is to start a public announcement (PA) system business, offering sound services for events such as weddings and funerals that are central to community life in the area.  

His success is no longer just about his family’s survival; it’s about creating opportunities in a place where jobs are scarce, and hope can be fragile. 


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