Harnessing the power of the sun

MAVUNOLAB is a youth-driven innovation centre implementing a project to reduce fish food loss and waste in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania. The initiative focuses on the Dagaa value chain, where 10-22% of fish caught on the Tanzanian side is wasted, primarily due to ineffective traditional sun-drying and smoking methods. MAVUNOLAB has developed a low-cost solar-powered dryer capable of drying up to 250 kg in less than four hours as of 2024, with a goal to provide these to 150 fish processors by 2027. The project specifically targets women, who traditionally handle post-harvest processing but face high financial risks and gender inequalities, including dependency on men for fish and drying equipment. By integrating technical innovation with social empowerment, the initiative aims to reduce women's debt and improve their economic independence. MAVUNOLAB employs a community-centered approach, using needs assessments and partnerships with Beach Management Units (BMUs), local government, and Sokoine University of Agriculture to refine its technology and ensure local alignment.

• Fish waste on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria is estimated at 10-22%, with losses specifically for Dagaa ranging between 14-22%. These losses are driven by a lack of technical solutions and the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns caused by climate change, which can spoil fish even outside traditional rainy seasons.
• The Dagaa value chain is characterized by significant gender inequalities where men control fishing and market sales, while women are responsible for processing. This structure places women at high financial risk because they often borrow fish or rent drying racks from men; if the fish spoils due to rain or contamination, women incur debts that can lead to harmful coping mechanisms and sexual abuse.
• MAVUNOLAB's solar-powered dryer provides a technical solution to reduce spoilage and empower women. As of 2024, the dryer can process up to 250 kg in under four hours. The initiative aims to reach 150 fish processors by 2027, having already benefited 100 female processors in two fishing communities in 2024.
• The initiative utilizes a multi-layered partnership strategy to overcome community skepticism and bureaucratic hurdles. It prioritizes engagement with local-level government and Beach Management Units (BMUs) to build trust and facilitate introductions, while collaborating with Sokoine University of Agriculture for research and knowledge exchange.
• Despite its benefits, the solar-powered dryer faces challenges regarding its dependence on sunlight and its affordability for low-income users. MAVUNOLAB is addressing these by developing battery storage integration and creating flexible payment plans.

APA

Global Resilience Partnership (n.d.). Harnessing the power of the sun. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/mavunolab_v1.pdf

Chicago

Global Resilience Partnership. Harnessing the power of the sun. n.d. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/mavunolab_v1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Resilience Partnership |title=Harnessing the power of the sun |url=https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/mavunolab_v1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalresiliencepartnershipndharnessing, author = {{Global Resilience Partnership}}, title = {{Harnessing the power of the sun}}, institution = {Global Resilience Partnership}, url = {https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/mavunolab_v1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }