By Kelly Napolo | Public Relations Intern
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited has ramped up new connections under the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP) Mbwee! Mbwee! Mbwee!, a nationwide initiative to accelerate new electricity connections and spur economic development in the country.
ESCOM launched Mbwee! Mbwee! Mbwee! initiative at Chisiyo Primary School ground in Zamkutu, Lilongwe on Thursday, April 3, 2025, signalling that there is an abundance of connection materials hence people must seize the opportunity.
The event marked the resumption of new MEAP electricity connections following a temporary pause caused by a national shortage of critical materials such as electrical meters. Speaking at the launch, ESCOM Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kamkwamba Kumwenda, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to bridging the electricity access gap in Malawi.
“We have received 92,000 meters, which will allow us to clear the backlog of 47,000 paid-up customers and extend connections to thousands more who have been eagerly awaiting power,” he said.
ESCOM Board Chairperson honourable Gospel Kazako echoed these sentiments, emphasizing ESCOM’s drive to enhance service delivery, adding that the corporation had registered 7,000 new MEAP connections last week alone.
“By connecting 180,000 customers, ESCOM is not only bringing power to living rooms and kitchens but also fueling the engines of economic growth and prosperity in our beloved nation, as electricity is the catalyst for economic growth and development,” he said.
Kazako further announced that ESCOM is embracing smarter technologies to improve efficiency but warned of rising vandalism cases that threaten progress. Presiding over the launch, Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, underscored the government’s commitment to increasing electricity access and boosting generation capacity.
“We are not just expanding access but also increasing generation through partnerships with independent power producers in hydro, solar, and gas projects,” he said.
He highlighted key projects such as the Mozambique-Malawi (MoMa)Interconnector and the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) initiative under Mission 300 as critical to transforming Malawi’s energy sector.
“These efforts are part of a broader plan to increase electricity access from the current 30% to 70% by 2030,” Matola added.
Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Central Constituency, Robin Lowe, praised the government’s efforts to extend essential services to rural communities. ESCOM has connected over 100,000 households to the national grid under the on-grid component of MEAP, with a target of reaching 180,000 electricity connections by its conclusion in June this year.
Launched in 2022, with funding from the World Bank, MEAP aims to provide electricity to 180,000 households within a 500-meter radius of transformers in rural and urban areas by June this year.
The cost of a new MEAP connection is K93,200. Customers who cannot afford the full connection fee can pay a deposit of K17,475 and settle the balance in installments after being connected to the grid.
MEAP also has a provision for Ready Boards—an affordable alternative for households unable to afford full house wiring. These are available for K64,074, with installment options starting at K5,825.
With renewed resources and a strengthened commitment, ESCOM is now set to fast-track electricity connections, ensuring that more Malawians gain access to reliable power.