Toshiba, a Japanese multinational conglomerate, has pledged to support geothermal energy development in Malawi by offering a scholarship to one Malawian to study geothermal and hydro power in Japan.

Toshiba president, Satoshi Tsukanawa said last week in Japan when he held a meeting with a Malawi Government delegation on the sidelines of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad 7) in Yokohama, Japan.

The two sides met for further discussions on the support of energy project in Malawi following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the same in South Africa in 2018.

Tsukanawa said Toshiba wants to strengthen the development of energy sector in Malawi by building capacity of human resource in the sector.

“Toshiba is increasing its focus on Africa, including Malawi and we are going to support in the area of geothermal and hydro power systems,” he said in an interview.

The Malawi delegation comprised Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Salim Bagus, Minister of Transport and Public Works Ralph Jooma and Malawi Ambassador to Japan Grenenger Msulira Banda.

During the meeting, the delegation pushed for funding of the energy project on South Rukuru River in Northern Region, according to Bagus.

Bagus described the meeting as successful, saying the global technology conglomerate expressed interest to support the energy sector in Malawi.