Journal of Global Research in Education and Social Science

Access to clean and affordable energy is important for improving livelihoods and promoting climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience. This study examined how electricity provision through the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) influenced livelihoods and helped reduce activities that contribute to climate change in Mwaye Village, Balaka District, Malawi. Snowball sampling, saturation principles and structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 72 respondents. The data were analysed using the chi-square test. The results indicate that socioeconomic benefits associated with rural electrification differed significantly (X2=46.32; P<0.05). The main benefits were improved health service delivery (80.1%), income generation (76.5%), job opportunities (72.3%) and rural enterprise creation (71.4%). Other benefits included enhanced education services (56.1%), community development (52.6%) and youth empowerment (50.3%). The results further show that socioeconomic improvements had significantly different effects on climate change adaptation outcomes (X2=54.85; P<0.001). Reported outcomes included reduced dependence on fossil fuel-powered maize mills and generators (90.4%), reduced climate-related health risks (75.2%), reduced reliance on firewood and charcoal for energy (50.6%), strengthened community adaptive capacity (82.3%) and improved drought resilience (74.8%). Overall, the study demonstrates that rural electrification improves livelihoods while reducing emissions-related activities and strengthening community adaptation and resilience. The findings support the continued expansion of electricity distribution to rural areas of Malawi to advance socioeconomic and environmental gains.