Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi workers walk through a power substation that helps transmit and distribute electricity to homes and businesses. Photo Credit: World Bank
Society MalawiElectricity Access Opens New Opportunities for Families
Expanded electricity access is improving livelihoods and creating new business opportunities in Malawi, helping more families gain income and build stronger futures.
“By connecting nearly two million people to electricity, including through solar solutions, it contributes to both energy access and climate objectives, and offers a model for future programmes,” said Om Bhandari, Senior Energy Specialist for Malawi at the World Bank.
Malawi had one of the world’s lowest electrification rates at just 11% in 2019, but access has now risen to 25.9%. Around two million people gained electricity through expanded grid connections and solar systems, with almost 30% of new connections reaching female-headed households. New power access has supported small businesses such as grocery shops, phone-charging services and food processing, while the country aims to increase electricity access to 70% by 2030 through an additional 2.8 million connections.
