Getting connected to electricity in Malawi should be as straightforward as paying the official fee. But for thousands of would-be clients, it is a frustrating waiting game—unless you are willing to grease palms.
A year-long sting investigation by Weekend Nation exposes how corrupt practices at Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) have turned new connections into a backdoor business, with bribes expediting services that otherwise take months or years.
Applicants are required to pay a capital contribution of K93 200, but many who follow the official route may still spend months or years in limbo. But our sting proves that those who pay bribes get power in days.
The 11-month sting: How we got connected in four days
In August 2024, our team initiated an undercover operation to test the system regarding challenges clients face to get connected to the Escom grid. We selected three houses at roofing level in Soche, Blantyre and applied for power connection.
After submitting our forms, no site inspection was conducted, and we waited for two months before Escom staff visited our premises to verify the application and conduct the connection planning.
One Escom employee told us that to generate quotations, we would need to pay them K50 000 for each house.
We initially resisted the temptation to pay and told them that we could not raise the amount. They, in turn, halted the process. Six months elapsed without any progress on the connection.
Looking at the delays, we contacted one of the employees involved in the “business of connecting clients” and paid the K150 000 demanded earlier. No receipt was issued, save for his assurance, only: “Zitheka musadandaule [Don’t worry, this time it will work].”
The following day the quotation was issued. We went to the Blantyre Escom office to pay our official capital contribution of K93 200 per house.
We thought the process would this time be expedited, but it was halted again. The year 2024 ended with no tangible progress on the connections. Numerous calls and physical visits to the Escom offices were made, but we were told to keep waiting.
In the course of waiting, we met some applicants who had been visiting Escom daily to expedite their connections, as well as those who got connected after paying a bribe and they narated their experiences.
One applicant shared a decade-long waiting experience, thus: “I applied for power in 2015, and I was told that they had run out of Escom poles. In 2016, I bought three poles and told them to come and connect power to my house, but nothing materialised.
“In 2023, a friend told me that I should be visiting their Power Station offices in Blantyre daily. I started my visits around September. At least five to six times a week I was at their
offices. They, apparently, got tired of seeing me, and I was connected to power in 2024.”
Those who were previously connected through “connections” provided phone numbers of three men they claimed could assist quickly. We contacted them to compare their charges. One quoted K1.2 million, promising power within a week.
“Your site requires three poles, wire, and a meter; within a week you will be connected,” he assured.
Another charged K800 000 and promised connection in two weeks. The last one asked for K500 000 for a meter and construction work plus materials (including poles and wire), but the figure dropped to K460 000 after negotiations.
On July 3 2025, we paid K150 000 upfront to the Escom ‘private’ officer who charged K460 000 to commence the work. The following day, he brought three poles and wire, and the installation work was completed within a day.
We were now left with the installation of a meter, and our contact informed us that officers responsible for meters would not release them without an additional payment.
On July 6, we paid the K310 000 balance. No receipt was issued. By approximately 4pm, the installation was complete and our houses were fully connected.
He bragged: “I know this system well; I have done this for the past five years. If you have another house, just contact me, I will visit the place to see what is needed and will deliver the work within the shortest possible period.”
So, after almost a year of failed official attempts, the work was done in just four days after influencing the system.
In our investigation, we encountered numerous cases of applications dating back to 2019, with ‘the materials-are-out-of-stock’ being the official excuse given to frustrated applicants.
A woman in Likuni, Lilongwe, applied for a new connection for her house in 2019 when the capital contribution was K46 600, but she is still in the dark.
A farmer in Chilomoni, Blantyre, told us that he applied for power in 2020, but Escom officials repeatedly told him that materials were out of stock—promising to connect him once stock was replenished.
Social media users have openly admitted that bribery is the fastest way to getting connected. In response to queries about the procedures people should follow to be connected to the Escom grid, someone called Alice in February shared her experience on a housing Facebook group, ‘Let’s build our homes’, saying:
“I applied in 2020, but still live in the dark. My neighbour paid [a bribe] and was connected instantly.”
Another member of the group, Mirriam, added: “You bribe officials with K500 000 and you will instantly be connected.”
Apparently, appalled by the revelations, other users tagged Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola, highlighting the applicants’ plight.
Escom responds: ‘Bribery is a two-way act’
Asked about the findings, Escom chief public relations and communications officer Pilirani Phiri admitted that his office has been receiving reports concerning fraud and corruption involving some employees.
“Our message to the public has been consistent and clear: Do not pay any Escom employee directly for services. All payments must be made at designated Escom offices where an official receipt is issued. Whenever credible reports of bribery or misconduct are brought to our attention, we take decisive disciplinary action, including dismissal of staff. It is important to note that bribery is a two-way act, and we, therefore, also appeal to the public to refrain from engaging in corrupt practices,” he said.
Phiri said his office will thoroughly
members is involved in unethical or irregular practices, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. investigate the matter and, if any staff
“Provide us with the names, and management will take decisive disciplinary action,” he urged.
When asked about the prolonged connection times, Phiri admitted to a backlog of applications. He explained that despite customers paying a capital contribution of K93 200, the actual cost of connecting one customer averages around K1 million.
“This means Escom must mobilise additional resources to bridge the funding gap. In the past, this financial constraint caused delays. Fortunately, with the funding now available through the Malawi Electricity Access Project (Meap) and the World Bank, we are well-positioned to connect customers without unnecessary delays,” he said.
He said Escom has improved the situation, connecting approximately 150 000 customers out of the 180 000 targeted to date.
“We are optimistic that the remaining connections will be completed by December 2025. In addition, we have secured $250 million in funding from the World Bank to connect 235 000 more customers in the coming years. The public should, therefore, be assured that we are now in a much better position to connect customers in a timely manner,” he added.
On delays in generating quotations, Phiri said currently they are facing logistical challenges, particularly with transportation.
“However, we are procuring motorcycles specifically for our planning teams to improve mobility and expedite the quotation process,” he said.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Office of the Ombudsman have both indicated that their offices receive complaints from clients who have applied for new electricity connections.
ACB principal public relations officer Egrita Ndala said in 2024/2025 the bureau received seven complaints related to Escom’s failure to rectify faults and connect electricity, while others related to flouting procurement procedures, bribery, and extortion.
“The bureau is investigating some of the complaints. People may complain about the problems out there, but not report the same to the bureau for their own reasons,” said Ndala.
She urged those who may encounter corruption in public service delivery to report the same to the bureau.
Office of the Ombudsman principal public relations officer Mandy Pondani said in 2024, her office received 12 cases against Escom, while in 2025, as of April, they had received five cases.
She said the nature of the recent set of complaints ranges from delayed connections to seeking compensation.
“In previous years, a number of complaints against Escom related to allegations of irregular and unlawful recruitments and promotions,” she said.
