Scottish experts are to team up with the government of Malawi to help develop green energy technology there, the First Minister has announced.
As well as extending electricity provision in the poverty-stricken nation, the Scottish Government would help develop a climate change policy there, said Alex Salmond.
The work would help to "increase quality of life in a sustainable way" for people in Malawi.
The Scottish Government would provide technical support to the government of Malawi to help develop a comprehensive renewable energy policy, Mr Salmond announced as he addressed the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh.
"Providing this support is an important step forward in our relationship with Malawi," he said. "It demonstrates that partnership with countries like Malawi is more than just about financial aid but also about building capacity and sharing our learning and expertise with those that need it the most."
The Scottish Government's International Development Fund has given £1.7 million to a project to accelerate development of renewable energy in Malawi, which is led by experts from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
"Much of the region of Chikwawa in Malawi did not have electricity until a programme led by Strathclyde University, funded by Scottish Government, installed a solar energy system," Mr Salmond went on.
"Now school buildings have lighting and power sockets, allowing studying in the evening, and its health post now has refrigeration, allowing vaccines to be stored more effectively. We will work with the government of Malawi to help extend electricity provision from test areas such as Chikwawa.
"Experts in climate change and renewable energy from the Scottish Government will work with Malawian officials to help develop their energy and climate change policy, helping increase quality of life in a sustainable way."
The initiative was welcomed by Strathclyde University's Graham Ault whose staff are "excited by the opportunity to deliver real changes to the energy prospects of Malawi".
