Launched in 2019, the Malawi Electricity Access Project significantly expanded access to electricity across the country, bringing power to nearly two million people and surpassing its original target of 1.6 million beneficiaries. The initiative combined national grid expansion with private-sector-led solar home systems to improve energy access in one of the world’s least-electrified countries. The project also played an important role in advancing gender equity, with a growing share of female-headed households gaining access to electricity. Increased access to reliable energy has encouraged small-scale entrepreneurship in newly connected communities, especially among women, while contributing to the broader Mission 300 initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
At the start of the project, Malawi faced severe energy challenges, with only 11 percent of the population connected to electricity in 2019. The disparity between urban and rural areas was particularly stark, as rural electrification stood at just 4 percent compared to 42 percent in urban centers. Most households depended on candles, kerosene, and firewood for lighting and cooking. Expanding electricity access was difficult due to high connection costs, limited infrastructure, and the financial limitations of the national utility company, particularly in serving rural and low-income communities.
To address these challenges, the World Bank Group partnered with Malawi’s Electricity Supply Corporation and Ministry of Energy to implement a practical two-part strategy. Instead of investing heavily in new transmission lines, the project focused on connecting households located near existing grid infrastructure through affordable low-voltage extensions, service drops, and prepaid electricity meters. For households unable to afford internal wiring, the project provided low-cost “ready boards” to facilitate access. In remote areas beyond the reach of the national grid, the project supported private solar energy providers through the Off-Grid Market Development Fund, which offered financing and performance-based incentives to scale the installation of certified solar home systems. The initiative also strengthened institutional capacity through electrification planning tools and programs aimed at increasing women’s participation in the energy sector workforce.
The project achieved results that exceeded expectations. More than 190,000 households were connected to the national grid, while nearly 257,000 solar home systems were installed in off-grid communities. Female-headed households accounted for a significant share of both off-grid and grid-based connections, surpassing the project’s gender inclusion targets. Additionally, the proportion of women working in technical and engineering roles within the national utility nearly doubled during the project period.
Electricity access created new economic opportunities across connected communities. Many households used electricity to start or expand small businesses such as grocery shops, food processing activities, barber shops, and mobile phone charging services. These opportunities helped generate income and improve livelihoods, particularly for women. The experience of residents like Bertha Macheso from Chiradzulu District illustrates how access to electricity can transform daily life and support entrepreneurship in rural communities.
The project also provided important lessons for future electrification efforts. One key insight was the importance of aligning project goals with the operational capacity of implementing agencies. Early delays caused by procurement and contract management challenges were addressed through project restructuring and revised targets. Another major lesson was the effectiveness of private-sector-led off-grid energy delivery. The Off-Grid Market Development Fund proved highly successful in expanding solar access and demonstrated a scalable model that could be replicated in other low-income countries seeking to increase electrification.
Building on the project’s success, the World Bank Group continues to support Malawi’s energy sector through the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Malawi project. This next phase focuses on increasing energy generation capacity and strengthening regional integration to meet rising electricity demand. Long-term sustainability will depend on improving the financial strength of the national utility and ensuring that private solar providers continue offering reliable maintenance and after-sales support for off-grid systems.
