Melicy Mandala is the Founder and Executive Director of Wala Women’s Social Enterprise, a women-led social enterprise in Malawi that transforms agricultural and paper waste into sustainable biomass briquettes while empowering women and youth through green entrepreneurship.
More about Her Journey
Through Wala Women’s Social Enterprise, Melicy converts agricultural and paper waste into clean-burning briquettes that serve as an affordable alternative to charcoal and firewood. She also provides hands-on training to women, youth, and community groups in briquette production, waste management, and entrepreneurship, enabling them to create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to environmental conservation.
Her work has created positive impact in communities by promoting cleaner energy solutions, reducing waste, and equipping women and young people with practical skills for income generation. Through her training and demonstrations, communities are learning that waste can be transformed into valuable products that improve both livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
On the challenges faced so far
Like many social entrepreneurs, Melicy’s journey has not been without challenges. Limited access to finance, production equipment, markets, and business development support have presented obstacles to scaling her impact. However, these challenges have strengthened her resilience and commitment to building innovative solutions that respond to local needs.
Awards and Recognitions
Over the years, Melicy has been honoured with recognition through various entrepreneurship and leadership programmes. Most recently, she was selected among the Top 12 participants of the Opportunity Desk Impact Challenge 2025, an achievement that has further motivated her to expand the impact of Wala Women’s Social Enterprise. She has also participated in leadership and mentorship initiatives that have enhanced her skills and connected her with changemakers from around the world.
Vision for the future
Her vision is to build a future where waste is viewed as a valuable resource, women and youth are economically empowered, and communities have access to affordable and sustainable energy solutions. Through Wala Women’s Social Enterprise, Melicy remains committed to driving environmental sustainability, creating green jobs, and improving livelihoods across Malawi and beyond.
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