Differ Community Power and BNG Electrical Contractors have committed MWK 20 million towards the 2026 Malawi National Energy Conference (NEC 2026), reaffirming their support for industry-wide dialogue and the continued development of Malawi’s renewable energy sector.
The sponsorship was unveiled during a meeting held at the Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi (REIAMA) offices in Lilongwe, bringing together representatives from the two companies and REIAMA.
NEC 2026 will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2026 at Sunbird Waterfront in Salima, under the theme “Powering Growth: Mainstreaming Energy Across Sectors.” The conference will bring together stakeholders from across the energy sector to discuss issues affecting the industry and explore opportunities for growth, investment and collaboration.
Speaking during the sponsorship handover, Arthur Lees-Rolfe, Country Manager for Differ Community Power, said the company has been operating in Malawi for seven years and currently has approximately 150 sites across the country. He noted that many of these installations have been carried out by BNG Electrical Contractors, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two organisations.
Arthur Lees-Rolfe said the decision to support NEC 2026 was also driven by the importance of having a strong industry body that can represent the interests of the wider renewable energy sector.
“It’s really good to support the industry body. This industry body needs to talk on behalf of the entire industry, not just for us, but for the entire industry.”
He added that the conference provides an important platform for discussions around renewable energy and issues affecting businesses and communities operating within the sector.
Representing BNG Electrical Contractors, Chifundo Mpambira also expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the conference. With BNG involved in renewable energy installations across Malawi, he noted that the company has first-hand experience of some of the challenges facing the industry.
The partnership between Differ Community Power and BNG Electrical Contractors is therefore not only a financial contribution to the conference but also reflects their broader engagement with the sector.
REIAMA Executive Director Charles Dakalira welcomed the sponsorship, noting that the two organisations have consistently supported the Association and participated in activities beyond the annual conference.
He highlighted their contribution through technical input, discussions on sector-related issues and engagement aimed at advancing Malawi’s energy industry.
Dakalira emphasised that the conversations taking place at the Malawi National Energy Conference are intended to contribute to positive change across the sector.
“The conversations that are done at the energy conference are usually customised towards bringing change, positive change, for the sector.”
He further acknowledged that organising a national conference of this scale requires significant resources, particularly amid rising operational costs, making the sponsorship timely.
The MWK 20 million commitment will contribute towards the delivery of NEC 2026 as REIAMA and its partners prepare to welcome energy-sector stakeholders to Salima.
For REIAMA, the support from Differ Community Power and BNG Electrical Contractors demonstrates the value of collaboration between industry players and the organisations facilitating sector-wide dialogue.
As Malawi continues to expand access to reliable and sustainable energy, partnerships such as these provide an opportunity for private-sector actors to contribute not only to individual projects but also to the broader conversations shaping the country’s energy future.
With MNEC 2026 just days away, REIAMA looks forward to welcoming delegates, exhibitors, speakers, investors, development partners and other stakeholders to Sunbird Livingstonia International Conference Centre (LICC), Salima, Malawi, for three days of dialogue, networking and collaboration under the theme “Powering Growth: Mainstreaming Energy Across Sectors.”
