Malawi dairy sector goes green with Swiss-backed biogas program

MALAWI – The Malawi Government and Switzerland have authorised the Malawi Dairy Biogas Program under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, marking a significant step in tackling climate change while improving the dairy sector.

The initiative will see the distribution of 10,000 biodigesters to smallholder dairy farmers, enabling them to convert cow manure into clean biogas for cooking and organic fertiliser for farming.

The programme has been co-developed by Sistema.bio, ACT Group and EcoGen, with financial backing from the Foundation for Climate Protection and Carbon Offset KliK.

The foundation will purchase carbon credits, known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), to make the project financially viable.

The partnership builds on a bilateral agreement signed by Malawi and Switzerland at COP27 in Egypt, which established a framework for cooperation on climate-mitigation projects.

Under this arrangement, Malawi will authorise emissions reductions generated by the project, while Switzerland will count the transferred carbon credits towards its own climate targets.

Minister of Natural Resources, Patricia Wiskes, described the development as a major milestone for Malawi’s climate ambitions and rural development agenda.

“This landmark authorisation of the Malawi Dairy Biogas Program under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement demonstrates Malawi’s commitment to advancing practical, people-centered climate solutions,” said Wiskes.

“The partnership with Switzerland and our implementing partners reflects the kind of innovative, high-integrity climate cooperation that Malawi is proud to champion.”

Additionally, the programme aligns with the Malawi national development priorities, strengthens the country’s climate resilience, and contributes meaningfully to the achievement of the Nationally Determined Contributions and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Through this initiative, farmers will not only reduce methane emissions but also transition away from firewood and charcoal, cutting deforestation and household energy costs.

Director of Carbon Procurement at the KliK Foundation, Andrea Thurner, said the project will significantly improve living standards for rural farmers while setting new standards in carbon markets through innovative monitoring systems.

“With an innovative monitoring scheme to ensure the integrity of the activity, Sistema.bio is setting new standards for carbon markets. We are excited to see the successful implementation of this activity and look forward to positively collaborating with all stakeholders to make it a reality,” said Thurner.

CEO and Co-Founder of Sistema.bio, Alexander Eaton, said the initiative highlights the power of collaboration in driving measurable climate action.

Meanwhile, ACT Group Climate Project Manager, Samuel Waechter-Cass, noted that the programme pushes the boundaries of carbon sector innovation while improving health outcomes and energy independence for farmers.

To receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world, SUBSCRIBE HERE