Africa-Press – Malawi. The World Bank has extended the Malawi Electricity Access Project (Meap) project by six months.
Initially, Meap, which was rolled out in 2022, targeted to connect 180,000 households and was supposed to come to an end in June 2025.
Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer Pilirani Phiri confirmed the development to The Daily Times Sunday, saying Meap would now run up to December this year.
“We are excited with the extension and the positive impact that the project has registered across the country.
“This is empowerment at its best. As we all know, electricity is a key stimulus for economic growth and national development,” Phiri said.
As at the close of business on Friday, Meap had connected 146,000 Malawians to the electricity grid.
Phiri said households within a 500-metre radius of an existing transformer could apply for Meap connections through flexible instalment options.
The Escom publicist said the cost of a new Meap connection is K93,200, adding that customers who cannot afford the full connection fee can pay a deposit of K17,475 and settle the balance in instalments after being connected to the grid.
“Meap also has a provision for Ready Boards; an affordable alternative for households unable to afford full house wiring. These are available for K64,074, with instalment options starting at K5,825,” he said.
The World Bank has, through the Government of Malawi, injected $71 million in the Meap Project as part of the country’s nationwide drive to expand access to electricity.
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