By Benadetta Chiwanda Mia
The government has set out an ambitious target to meet all necessary conditions under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (Ascent) initiative by April end and commence project activities in May this year.
This follows the signing of a $250.8 million grant with the World Bank in January 2025.
The grant is premised on boosting electricity access in Malawi from the current 25 percent to 70 percent by 2030.
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Energy Ministry spokesperson Austin Theu said the ministry and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) were taking proactive steps to expedite the project’s implementation.
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“We are supposed to make sure that the project becomes effective within 120 days after the signing, but we think that’s too long. So, our target is that, come end of April, we have to meet all the conditions that are required,” Theu said.
The activities include establishing a project implementation unit, requiring the recruitment of specialised personnel such as procurement, financial management, and environmental and social safeguard specialists.
“We, as a ministry, have already initiated that process and adverts are already in the [news] papers, [where we are] soliciting [the services of] those who are willing to work under Ascent,” Theu said.
According to Theu, the Ascent project comprises four main components including that of off-grid solar connection undertaken by the Ministry of Energy. It seeks to expand the Ngwe Ngwe Ngwe Fund under the Malawi Electricity Access Project (Meap), which targets to provide solar home systems to over 800,000 households.
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Meanwhile, Escom spokesperson Peter Kanjere has said the corporation will implement the last mile electrification component, which aims to connect approximately 235,000 households to the national grid by 2030.
“The actual works shall include construction of medium voltage and low voltage lines, installation of distribution transformers and connecting customers. The grant was, indeed, signed but awaiting Parliament’s approval. So, during this time, Escom has started working on preliminary activities which include preparation of bidding documents,” Kanjere said.
The project aims to increase access to sustainable and clean energy in the country by 2030, contributing to the 70 percent electricity access target that the country has committed to in the National Energy Compact been affected by deforestation and environmental degradation.
“We are taking full responsibility for the growth of these trees. Our plan is not just to plant trees but to nurture them until this place transforms into a forest,” Nazombe said.
She encouraged other organisations to take part in environmental conservation activities, stressing that deforestation and land degradation threatened water sources, which in turn affects livelihoods.
In his remarks, BWB Environmental Officer Precious Puzani said the trees planted by Mudi Sacco would help restore vegetative cover, prevent soil erosion and enhance water retention, thereby safeguarding the dam’s capacity to supply clean water to Blantyre residents.
“We commend them for this noble initiative. This effort will go a long way in addressing environmental challenges and securing the future of our water supply,” Puzani said.
