Habitat for Humanity Malawi has awarded a K31.5 million startup grant to 18 Women’s Housing Savings and Loan Groups (HSLGs) in Lilongwe, Area 27, Traditional Authority Chitukula aimed at improving housing and livelihoods for women in informal settlements.
The funding, sourced from the organisation’s Global Mission Fund (GMF), was unveiled during a handover ceremony attended by HSLG members and Habitat for Humanity staff.
Phellistas Ntengula, Human Resources and Administration Specialist at Habitat for Humanity, said the grant follows the success of the Home Equals Project, which supported the transformation of informal settlements into formal residential areas in Lilongwe.
“This money will be used to help start businesses to improve their livelihoods and housing status,” Ntengula said.
She added that the project aligns with the organisation’s broader efforts to empower women economically and enhance housing conditions.
The women-led HSLGs, which already operate as savings and loan collectives, will use the funds to expand small businesses. These groups function by pooling members’ savings, allowing them to access loans and repay with interest—a model that has already fostered financial discipline and community development.
Ntengula stressed that the GMF initiative builds on these efforts by giving women the financial push they need to scale up their ventures and, in turn, uplift their living standards.
“We aim to support these women in improving their housing status so their informal settlement can formally integrate into the City of Lilongwe,” she said.
Sabina Mukhuna, chairperson of the savings groups, described the grant as a game changer.
“With this money, we are very certain that our businesses will grow and our housing standards will improve, as it is the same money that will be used to improve the houses,” she said.
Habitat for Humanity’s support to women-led savings and loan groups forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen economic and housing resilience in vulnerable communities, especially in urban informal settlements.
The initiative signals continued commitment toward inclusive urban development, where women play a central role in building stronger, more sustainable communities.
