By Kingsely Jassi:
Malawi may miss the 2030 target of the World Bank-supported Mission 300 power compact due to sluggish pace on project implementation.
Mission 300 is a joint continental initiative by the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank and partners like the Rockefeller Foundation to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030.
Under the initiative, the World Bank aims to provide 250 million of these connections to combat the severe energy deficit but countries have to develop bankable projects that can attract support under the initiative, in which the bank is providing up to $30 billion.
However, during inquiries with the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) and the Ministry of Energy, it was understood that there was no project yet fronted to be supported by the initiative.
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Ministry of Energy spokesperson Joan Thaundi said the government was implementing the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation In Malawi (Ascent Malawi) Project through the Ministry and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom), aiming to connect 811, 000 customers through home systems.
“As we speak these connections started on 25 July 2026 and we currently have connected 3, 224 customers and it is ongoing.
“On the other hand, Escom is doing last-mile connections to diversify the grid,” she said.
However, the country’s energy challenges are rooted in power shortages that lead to interruptions and vulnerability assessment. The current flagship project remains the Mpatamanga project, which will bring 353 megawatts into the grid.
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“Otherwise, the private sector is welcomed to invest in the energy sector and the government has created an enabling environment for private sector participation through Power Market Limited,” Thaundi said.
Public Private Partnership Commission Chief Executive Officer Arthur Nanthuru said there was no specific project under Mission 300.
“At present, we do not have specific PPP projects being pursued under the Mission 300 initiative.
“However, given the initiative’s strong focus on mobilising private-sector investment to expand energy access, we see significant potential for PPP opportunities,” he said.
