Malawi Freedom Network 
By Malawi Freedom Network
Malawi has reached a major milestone in its efforts to strengthen electricity supply after completing construction works on its side of the 400-kilovolt Malawi-Mozambique (MOMA) electricity interconnector, paving the way for commercial power trading with the region.
The development marks a significant step towards connecting Malawi more firmly to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and expanding the country’s ability to access electricity from regional markets.
According to a statement signed by Energy Secretary Elvis J. Thodi, Malawi has completed the outstanding works under its responsibility, while arrangements are now being finalised to enable commercial electricity trading through the interconnector.
The MOMA project is expected to transform Malawi’s position in the regional electricity market by creating a high-voltage transmission link between Malawi and Mozambique.
Interconnector successfully energised
The Ministry of Energy said the interconnector was energised on August 8 and subsequently underwent successful hot commissioning.
The milestone means the infrastructure has moved beyond construction and into the operational phase, although commercial electricity trading is still dependent on the completion of market and tariff arrangements.
The project has experienced delays, particularly on the Mozambican side, where outstanding works included construction of a transmission line crossing the Zambezi River.
The Ministry said those works have now been completed following delays associated with a fatal workplace accident.
With the physical infrastructure substantially in place, attention has now shifted towards the commercial and regulatory arrangements required before electricity trading can begin.
Tariffs being finalised
Malawi, Mozambique and other participating power-market partners are currently working to finalise electricity tariffs and other commercial arrangements ahead of the launch of trading.
The completion of these arrangements will be critical because the interconnector itself is only one part of establishing a functioning cross-border electricity market.
Once commercial trading begins, Malawi will be able to participate more actively in regional electricity transactions, potentially giving the country greater flexibility in managing electricity supply.
What the project means for Malawi
For a country that has faced persistent electricity supply challenges, the MOMA interconnector represents more than a transmission project.
It provides Malawi with an additional route to access electricity beyond its domestic generation capacity, while also creating opportunities to participate in the wider Southern African electricity market.
The government expects the project to help strengthen electricity supply, improve energy security and deepen Malawi’s participation in regional power trading.
The connection to the Southern African Power Pool could also provide greater opportunities for Malawi to buy electricity when domestic generation is insufficient and, depending on available capacity and market conditions, potentially trade electricity regionally.
A new chapter for Malawi’s power sector
The completion and energisation of the MOMA interconnector comes at a crucial time for Malawi as the country seeks long-term solutions to its electricity challenges.
The next major test will be translating the completed infrastructure into reliable commercial electricity flows.
For households, businesses and industries, the significance of the project will ultimately be measured not by the transmission towers or high-voltage lines, but by whether it contributes to a more reliable and resilient electricity supply.
The Ministry of Energy says the remaining commercial arrangements are being finalised.
If successfully concluded, the MOMA interconnector could mark the beginning of a new era in which Malawi is more deeply integrated into the regional electricity market—and less isolated from the power resources available across Southern Africa.
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