Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) says it has connected 165 000 households to electricity under the Malawi Electricity Access Project (Meap) since its inception in 2022.
This was revealed during a media tour to Chiudzira in Lilongwe yesterday where Escom interacted with beneficiaries.
Escom chief public relations and communications officer Pilirani Phiri said the project was earmarked to connect 180 000 new customers to the grid, targeting households within 500 metres of existing transformers and ready electrical infrastructure.
house during the tour. | Wantwa Mwamlima
“As of today the connection total through this project is at 165 000, representing an approximate 92 percent completion rate of the original target which will be reached by June as the project phases out,” he said.
In the Central Region, the target was 68 000 households and currently 65 000 households have been connected.
“Meap has reduced a backlog of electricity connections and we can already see that this is positively impacting communities by improving household livelihoods and enhancing overall service delivery,” he said.
Beneficiaries at Chiudzira area hailed the initiative with many, saying it has already transformed their livelihoods in various ways.
A local entrepreneur Angella Kaponda said electricity has allowed her to operate both a drinking water business and a salon, employing several people from her community.
“I can now run my business efficiently and provide jobs for others too,” she said.
Another beneficiary Hellen Moyo highlighted the speed and efficiency of the connections due to the initiative.
“It only took two months to get connected to electricity, which was a pleasant surprise because previously such processes could take much longer,” she said.
She added that the availability of electricity in many homes has now enhanced security in the area, with well-lit homes and streets contributing to a safer community
