The group has been in the business of producing cooking oil called Thanzi for a long time. They have won awards, both at local and international level.
However, over the years, Kamwendo Cooking Oil Group has been producing cooking oil from sunflower using simple machines, and from a not so-nice building.
Malawi Enterprise Productivity Enhancement (MEPE) Project has assisted the group with the construction of a new factory. Apart from having a magnificent building, MEPE has also assisted the group with oil production machines.
But with the project expected to end in November 2017, MEPE has already registered many successes.
Chairperson of the 57-member group, Maximiano Zembeni, says the construction of a new structure will help the club in improving cooking oil production.
“MEPE has assisted us with two machines, adding to the old ones. This will help us to increase production. We will also be refining our oil, before being taken to the market. We are happy with the project,” Zembeni says.
He says they are just waiting for electricity connection to the building to go into full production of improved cooking oil.
“We also need more capacity building. Our vision is that Thanzi should reach all corners of Malawi. We also want the cooking oil to reach the international market,” Zembeni says.
MEPE project is a European Union (EU) funded project to the government of Malawi through The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to the tune of €1,498,199.
It is part of COMESA Adjustment facility (CAF) and Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) Programme. It is a project funded by the European Union under the 9th and 10th European Development Fund (EDF).
Its overall objective is to contribute to Malawi Growth and Development Strategy goal of sustainable economic growth through upscaling of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) or cooperatives to produce competitive products for domestic and export markets.
Nelson Nsiku, MEPE Programme Manager, says MEPE has made a big impact on small and medium enterprises.
“The Malawi Government would like to thank the EU through the COMESA RISM programme for enhancing the productive capacities of the SMEs and Cooperatives in oil seeds, leather and garments and textiles. We look forward to the integration of the small and relatively disadvantaged sections of the society to participate in economic activities,” Nsiku says.
He says the desire is that future interventions, collaborations and business promotion activities should engage the groups with capacity to reach out to the domestic and export markets.
“MEPE Project has demonstrated that with a few resources, it is possible to address some of the structural challenges small businesses face. However, it takes a degree of preparedness on the part of the SMEs themselves and embracing the genuine spirit of cooperatives and collective business,” he says.
