By Kelly Napolo—ESCOM Public Relations Intern
Malawi’s electrification drive has received a major boost as the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited has secured 92,000 electricity meters and other essential materials under the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP).
Speaking during a media tour on Monday, March 24, 2025, ESCOM Chief Operations Officer, Engineer Maxwell Mulimakwenda, said the materials will facilitate 82,000 new MEAP electricity connections across the country under Mbwee! Mbwee! Mbwee! moto signifying the availability of enough materials.
Mulimakwenda assured customers that the corporation now has sufficient materials including poles, conductors, and meters, which are critical for new connections to facilitate smooth and timely connections.
“The worry about delayed connections is now a thing of the past. Pano ma meter tili nawo Mbwee! Mbwee! Mbwee! We will quickly and efficiently connect our customers,” he said during the tour at the MEAP warehouse in Lunzu, Blantyre.
Mulimakwemba further stated that ESCOM has a backlog of 47,000 customers who paid connection fees but remain unconnected customers and will be cleared before June 2025. He also encouraged more people to apply for electricity connections.
The COO highlighted that customers who cannot afford the full connection fee of K93,200 can now pay a deposit of K17,475 and settle the balance in installments after being connected to the grid.
“We have also introduced 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,” he said.
“As part of efforts to support low-income households, Members of Parliament will be required to identify 30 vulnerable households in their constituencies to benefit from the initiative.”
Mulimakwenda highlighted that to promote energy efficiency, each newly connected household will receive three energy-saving bulbs.
Earlier, ESCOM MEAP Deputy Project Manager, Gift Banda, confirmed that new connections under MEAP have already resumed. Despite previous procurement challenges, he reassured the public that the company is on track to meet its June deadline.
Launched in 2022, with funding from the World Bank, MEAP aims to provide electricity to 180,000 households located within a 500-meter radius of transformers in rural and urban areas by June this year. To date, the project has connected 98,000 customers.