By Burnett Munthali
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) has announced plans to connect 235,000 households to the national grid under the $250.8 million (K439 billion) Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (Ascent) project.
The project is being funded by the World Bank as part of efforts to expand electricity access in Malawi.
Speaking during an engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change in Zomba, Escom Chief Operations Officer Maxwell Mulimakwenda provided an update on the initiative.
He stated that although the Ascent project is set to run until 2030, Escom is targeting to complete the household connections by 2028.
Escom has been allocated $150.8 million (K264 billion) from the total project funds to focus on increasing electricity connections.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy is receiving $100 million (K175 billion) from the project to support other energy-related initiatives.
Out of the Ministry’s allocation, $60 million (about K105 billion) will be dedicated to off-grid connections.
These off-grid connections will be achieved through solar home systems, which are expected to benefit 811,000 households.
The initiative aligns with Malawi’s broader National Energy Compact, which aims to significantly increase electricity access.
Currently, only 25.9 percent of Malawians have access to electricity, a figure the government seeks to raise to 70 percent by 2030.
Escom’s efforts under the Ascent project are expected to play a crucial role in achieving this ambitious target.
Expanding electricity access is seen as a key driver of economic growth, improved education, and enhanced healthcare services.
The project is also expected to create job opportunities and boost productivity in rural and urban areas alike.
With substantial funding and a clear implementation plan, Escom and the Ministry of Energy hope to transform Malawi’s energy landscape.
As the project progresses, stakeholders will be monitoring its impact on improving livelihoods and supporting sustainable development.
