* The 300MW added capacity will fuel industries, create thousands of jobs, stabilise power supply in rural areas
* And unlock Malawi’s potential as a regional energy exporter through the Southern African Power Pool—Energy Minister Matola
By Duncan Mlanjira
Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda has hailed the World Bank for the US$350m grant to support Mpatamanga hydropower storage project that seeks to increase power generation capacity with an addition of 300 megawatts (MW) of power to the national grid.
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The added power generation is also set to secure green electricity for domestic users and industries in Malawi and expand renewable energy trade between Malawi and the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP).
According to the official government Facebook page, the Minister said this on Thursday when he signed on behalf of the government a financing agreement with the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) held at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.
Chithyola Banda hailed the World Bank for the timely intervention, which will support the mining, manufacturing and agriculture sectors, and position Malawi as a regional power exporter within the SAPP.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to fulfilling the conditions as per the Financing Agreement and in his remarks Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola said government considers the project as transformative — not only in the energy sector, but also for the economic development for this country.
“Malawi aims to achieve 70% electrification by 2030, and the Mpatamanga hydropower storage project is crucial to achieving this goal,” he said.
“This landmark initiative will bring power to the people — delivering 1.15 million new household connections by 2030, helping us meet our ambitious target of 70% national electrification.”
On his official Facebook page, Matola added that the additional 300MW capacity “will fuel industries, create thousands of jobs, stabilise power supply in rural areas, and unlock Malawi’s potential as a regional energy exporter through the SAPP”.
“This is what taking development forward looks like,” he said. “It is the fruit of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership — strategic, inclusive, and relentless in delivering real change.
“The Mpatamanga project exemplifies how this administration is turning policy into power, promises into progress. We express our profound gratitude to the World Bank team, led by Mr. Nathan Belete and Mr. Firas Raad, the Ministry of Finance & Economic Affairs, the Public-Private Partnership Commission, and all stakeholders who have made this victory for Malawians possible.
“Malawi is on the move — energised, empowered, and united. We are not just building a power station, we are building the Malawi we want; productive, equitable, and prosperous.
On his part, Belete — who is World Bank’s Division Director, said the Bank approved the US$350 million grant having appreciated that the landmark infrastructure operation aims at transforming the country’s energy landscape and economic development trajectory.
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He added that the Mpatamanga project is believed to be “a game-changer for Malawi, capable of catalysing transformative change in productive economic sectors such as mining, agri-business and tourism.
“The project will provide reliable and affordable energy to support businesses growth, create jobs and improve the lives of millions of Malawians,” he said, adding that the World Bank is proud to stand with Malawi and support its development ambition.
The mpatamanga-hydropower-project/ — situated on the boundaries of Neno and Blantyre districts, is expected to generate a capacity of over 358MW, which is envisioned on be completed by 2030.
According to Mpatamanga Hydropower Limited website, the project is expected to generate electricity by harnessing the power of flowing water and the change in elevation of the Shire River through two dams, in series, along the river, located between two existing hydropower facilities.
* Weather update:
The 2nd edition of the DCCMS Zanyengo e-Newsletter is out that highlights key activities, milestones, and collaborations undertaken by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) in recent months. For more: https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/publications/the-zanyengo-e-newsletter-2nd-edition/