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Dataset

2023 • Open WASH Data biogasoutcomesmalawi – A qualitative dataset on biogas outcomes in Malawi

The biogasoutcomesmalawi dataset offers a rich qualitative exploration of biogas systems in Malawi's Southern Region, derived from 61 semi-structured interviews conducted between June 2021 and October 2022. It examines the socio-technical and user perspectives on biogas adoption, with a focus on identifying the factors contributing to successes or failures. The dataset is tailored for researchers, practitioners, and policy analysts engaged in bioenergy and sustainable development initiatives. It includes transcripts, participatory insights, and a detailed socio-technical analysis, facilitating deeper understanding and fostering evidence-based interventions. The dataset has been used in peer-reviewed publications addressing biogas implementation challenges in Africa.

Recovered Materials & Products

Energy
Heat
Biogas

Waste Streams

Organic solid waste
Manure
Food waste

Confirmed countries

United States of America

What is this tool intended for?

The dataset is designed to provide qualitative insights into the socio-technical and user-oriented factors influencing biogas system outcomes in Southern Malawi. It aims to bridge gaps in understanding why biogas systems succeed or fail, offering actionable knowledge for improving future bioenergy projects.

How does this tool work?

The dataset includes:

  • Transcripts of 61 semi-structured interviews with biogas system owners, conducted in the local Chichewa language and transcribed into English.
  • Supplementary socio-technical data from participatory observations and on-site evaluations of digester performance.
  • Interview schedules and consent forms for methodological transparency.

Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?

This dataset is suitable for:

  • Researchers focusing on sustainable energy, waste management, and bioenergy adoption.
  • Practitioners implementing or evaluating biogas systems in developing contexts.
  • Policymakers and funders interested in understanding the socio-cultural barriers to renewable energy uptake.

What stages of a process can this tool support?

  • Planning and design of biogas projects.
  • Mid-project evaluations and troubleshooting.
  • Post-project assessments to identify lessons learned.

What skills, capabilities, and resources are required to use this tool?

Using this dataset ideally requires familiarity with qualitative data analysis techniques, access to relevant software for managing transcripts and interview data, and contextual knowledge of biogas technology and social dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Where can this tool be used?

The dataset focuses on rural and peri-urban households in Malawi but provides insights transferable to similar contexts across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Case examples of where this tool has been used

The dataset underpins analysis in the article "From potential to practice: Rethinking Africa's biogas revolution," which critiques biogas adoption in Africa and highlights socio-technical challenges.

Get the Tool

The dataset is open access under a CC-BY 4.0 license. It can be downloaded from the links provided or one can access the GitHub repository for raw files and documentation.

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/openwashdata/biogasoutcomesmalawi

Zenodo repository https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8289620

The dataset was used in the publication: Kalina, Marc, Jonathan Òlal Ogwang, and Elizabeth Tilley. 2022. “From Potential to Practice: Rethinking Africa’s Biogas Revolution.” Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01396-x.
https://openwashdata.github.io/biogasoutcomesmalawi/

Technologies

Anaerobic digestion

Themes

Assessment
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Capacity building
Policy and regulation