Taking a proactive approach to utility oversight, the Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. Dr. Jean Mathanga, MP, held an intensive engagement meeting with ESCOM’s Executive Management at Umoyo House in Blantyre on Friday, May 22 2026.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Energy and Mining, Mr. Elvis Thodi, the Minister reviewed comprehensive presentations from ESCOM Management, led by CEO Eng. William Kaipa.
The presentations focused on the status of electricity supply and network performance, operational challenges, customer service, Revenue collection, progress on ongoing projects and vandalism, among other issues.
Dr. Mathanga noted that while the government fully understands the complex challenges ESCOM faces, such as climate-driven disruptions to hydropower, system losses, limited capital and grid vandalism, these difficulties must not get in the way of a dependable customer experience.
“Every unit within ESCOM must demonstrate measurable productivity, faster response times, proper maintenance culture, prudent utilization of resources and stronger internal coordination. System losses, prolonged waiting time for new connections, unnecessary downtime, delayed procurement processes and avoidable operational inefficiencies must be decisively addressed,” Dr, Mathanga said, adding;
“We must collectively move away from a mindset of merely managing challenges to one of delivering solutions. Malawians deserve better”.
ESCOM CEO Eng. William Kaipa, presenting the Corporation’s turnaround strategy, assured the Minister and government that the utility is committed to stabilize power supply, reduce loadshedding and improve fault restorations in the shortest period possible while at the same embarking on long-term solutions.