Malawi and Mozambique are working together to end the power crisis affecting thousands of homes and businesses in Malawi. Officials from both countries are now meeting to speed up the completion of a major electricity project that will bring 50 megawatts (MW) of power to Malawi.
The project, known as the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnection Project (MOMA), will connect Malawi to Mozambique’s power grid and help reduce frequent electricity blackouts, also known as load shedding, in the country.
Malawi’s Electricity Supply Corporation (ESCOM) Chairperson, Gospel Kazako, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Kamkwamba Kumwenda, are leading talks with their Mozambican counterparts to fast-track the work.
Kazako said the people of Malawi are tired of unreliable electricity, and it is time to fix the problem once and for all.
“We want this done as fast as possible to end load shedding in Malawi,” Kazako said.
Malawi has already completed its own part of the project. This includes laying a 78-kilometre power line through Mwanza and Neno districts, building power towers, installing transmission lines, constructing new houses, and upgrading infrastructure in communities affected by the project.
Kazako praised the local workers and engineers who made the progress possible and assured Malawians that their efforts would soon pay off.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s national power company, Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), and its contractor, Larsen & Toubro, represented by Ankiti Kumar Sharma, say construction on their side — covering a 172-kilometre stretch — is going well. They expect to finish their work by next month.
Once the interconnection is complete, the two countries will link their electricity systems, making it possible for Malawi to receive power from Mozambique directly.
Energy experts say the project will significantly improve power supply in Malawi, reduce the amount of time homes and businesses spend without electricity, and strengthen the country’s economy.
Over the years, power shortages in Malawi have caused serious problems, especially in rural communities. Factories have reduced production, shops have closed early, and households have struggled with basic needs like cooking and lighting.
Kazako and Kumwenda say that by partnering with Mozambique, Malawi can now avoid these challenges and take a big step forward in securing reliable electricity for its people.
“This project is not just about power; it’s about improving lives, boosting the economy, and creating opportunities,” CEO Kumwenda added.
The ESCOM team said they are committed to completing the project on schedule and are working closely with Mozambique to meet all technical and financial requirements. They also urged citizens to be patient as final works are being wrapped up.
Energy analysts believe that once this project is done, Malawi can reduce its reliance on expensive and polluting diesel-powered generators, save millions of dollars in fuel imports, and focus more on renewable energy solutions.
The Mozambique-Malawi Interconnection Project is part of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), a regional cooperation plan that aims to share electricity among neighbouring countries and improve energy security for all.
The project is backed by development partners, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), and has been described as one of the most important infrastructure developments in southern Africa.
Malawi hopes to become a more stable investment destination once its power problems are solved. Businesses have long complained about the cost and unreliability of electricity, which often leads to lower profits and job cuts.
With the light now visible at the end of the tunnel, Malawians are looking forward to a future where blackouts become a thing of the past.
