Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) plans to disconnect electricity from postpaid billing customers from May 4 2026 to recover K16 billion arrears accumulated over four months.
In a statement yesterday, Escom said the exercise targets postpaid customers in the Southern and Central regions, government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), parastatals, commercial entities and private households.
Reads the statement: “This exercise is a critical component of our revenue mobilisation strategy, aimed at recovering an estimated K16 billion in accumulated arrears.
will be included.
| Nation
“These funds are essential for sustaining our operations and ensuring the continued delivery of reliable power supply across the country. We remain committed to powering the nation, but this is only sustainable when all beneficiaries fulfil their payment obligations.”
In an interview yesterday, Escom spokesperson Pilirani Phiri said the Northern Region will be included in the next campaign because “combining [all regions] would need more resources, especially vehicles that can strain operations”.
Escom also embarked on a similar exercise in February to recoup K54 billion from the same group of customers.
Out of the K54 billion, MDAs accounted for about K11 billion with the country’s five water boards having the largest chunk at K26 billion while K17.5 billion was for private entities.
In an earlier interview, Consumers Association of Malawi executive director John Kapito said that while consumers have an obligation to pay for what they consume, Escom also needs to move with speed in installing pre-paid meters.
He said Escom would do itself justice by installing prepaid billing meters and ensuring that those disconnected are given one.
Mzuzu-based social commentator Isaac Cheke-Ziba said controlling officers should be held accountable for persistent non-payment, arguing public office cannot continue to provide immunity from basic financial responsibility.
“Electricity is not a luxury—it is a public good that underpins healthcare, water supply, education, and local governance. Any enforcement action must therefore be guided by the principle of protecting citizens first, even as financial discipline is restored,” he said.
