In Malawi’s Salima and Dowa districts, bamboo is becoming far more than a crop. It is a growing enterprise and a powerful vehicle for women’s leadership and economic resilience.
The Year 1 project evaluation highlighted that 2,020 artisans - primarily women and young people - have been trained, surpassing the original target
Sixty-three bamboo clubs are now active across the two districts, producing high-quality furniture and household items including chairs, tables, lampshades, baskets and storage boxes.
This investment is translating into meaningful change at both group and household level, particularly among women-led enterprises.
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the ‘Bamboo for Honey’ innovation, which combines bamboo enterprise with beekeeping. Groups are learning to produce beehives made from locally available bamboo, creating a new product while also generating income through honey production. So far, 95 bamboo beehives have been produced, with early harvesting already underway. Groups are reinvesting the income into packaging materials and their savings schemes, helping their businesses grow.
Interest in the bamboo hives is also spreading beyond the project. The German non-profit Welthungerhilfe has purchased hives to trial with its own beekeeping farmers, and discussions are underway with Lilongwe Wildlife Centre about supplying hives for their work in forest conservation areas.
The Kachere Women Group in Salima District offers one inspiring example. Fourteen determined women now manage a 2.5-hectare plot dedicated to beekeeping, with 35 bamboo beehives currently in use. Each hive produces around 15–16 litres of honey per harvest, with two harvests per year. Alongside honey production, the group is accelerating the manufacture and sale of bamboo chairs, tables and winnowers for local and regional markets.
Through their Village Savings and Loans Association, members are reinvesting profits into raw materials, agricultural inputs and small trading activities — strengthening both their bamboo enterprise and their households’ resilience.
The project has taught us to be sustainable. By taking advantage of our natural resources such as bamboo, we can now make more money from various products, including organic honey from bamboo hives. For us women, each drop of honey and each item of bamboo products represent a promise fulfilled, not just for us but for our families.
The project is also embracing digital innovation. A new Bamboo Marketing Mobile App, integrated with social media platforms, is helping producers showcase their products, track customer demand and reach wider markets. Groups have exhibited at national events - including the Malawi International Tourism Expo - increasing visibility and generating direct sales
Yet challenges remain. Many groups still face barriers in accessing national markets and securing sufficient capital for raw materials, tools and storage facilities. Addressing these constraints is a priority for Year Two, alongside strengthening financial linkages and market systems.
Bamboo remains an emerging sector in Malawi, but the signs are encouraging. With the right support - skills, finance and market access - it can play an increasingly important role in creating sustainable income and opportunity.