Updated November 26, 2025- Malawi is getting closer to starting electricity imports from Mozambique. This is as the Mozambique–Malawi Power Interconnector Project is nearing its completion. This information was revealed by the officials from the Malawi Mission in Mozambique.
The project involved the construction of a 400kV substation at Matambo in Tete Province. Also, it involved the construction of a 220kV transmission line and linking it to an existing 220kV substation, as well as setting up a 142-kilometre 400kV transmission line linking the Matambo substation in Mozambique to the Phombeya substation in Malawi.
Malawi’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Wezi Moyo, paid a visit to the Matambo substation recently and reported that works are almost finished. The system is currently undergoing checks, testing and energising of equipment.
Current Status
Furthermore she stated that most of the transmission line construction is complete, with 326 of the 337 towers over a 126-kilometre stretch already erected. As for now, only 11 towers remain. Also, stringing is being finalised on the remaining 15 kilometres.
The major outstanding work lies at the Zambezi River crossing, where two massive towers are being built to carry the power line across the river. According to the contractor, these will be the tallest transmission towers in Africa. One tower will stand at 196 metres, of which 126 metres have already been completed, while the second will rise to 200 metres, with 32 metres finished so far. Moyo said the towers are designed to withstand floods and cyclones in the area and have a projected lifespan of 500 years, far exceeding the typical 50-year lifespan of ordinary towers.
Completion and Commissioning Date
She mentioned that overall work is expected to be completed by the end of November. The commissioning of the project is anticipated between mid and late December.
Once operational, the interconnector will enable Malawi to import at least 50MW of electricity from Mozambique. Additionally, according to officials the project will strengthen Malawi’s power supply. It will also open opportunities for regional power trade and enhance economic integration between the two countries.
Other Interconnector Projects in Africa
The establishment of power interconnector projects are becoming a trend in Africa. Interconnectors are important because they allow countries with surplus electricity or power to export to neighbouring countries that are in need of power. This later earns revenue to the exporter and contributes to the overall economy growth. Countries that are emerging as leading exporters of power in Africa include Ethiopia. Ethiopia is emerging as a leading power exporter following the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Countries such as Tanzania seek to import power from Ethiopia following a 400 MW power import deal signed with Kenya to import power from Ethiopia.
June 7, 2022
The foundation stone has been laid to officially mark the start of the implementation of the Mozambique-Malawi Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) power interconnection project in Mozambique. The stone was laid by Filipe Nyusi, the fourth President of Mozambique and his Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera.
The 400-kilovolt transmission line that would provide Malawi with 50MW of power from Mozambique is projected to cost US$ 62M, with US$ 35M going toward the 142-kilometre line in Mozambique and the remaining funds going to the 76-kilometre line in Malawi. There will be 527 high voltage pylons in all.
A second component of the project is the US$ 21M enlargements of the Matambo substation, which will ensure the dependability of the power supply.
Importance of the Mozambique-Malawi Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) power interconnection project
President Nyusi emphasised that the project’s development is part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) master plan for energy infrastructure from 2018-to 2043. It will greatly contribute to strengthening Mozambique’s regional integration with neighbouring SADC nations.
According to President Nyusi, the interconnection project “opens another window of opportunity for job development and will convey the aspiration of the peoples of the two nations to have dependable, high-quality power. He went on to say that this power supply will promote new investments in industry and tourism, as well as favour mechanisation, which will enhance production. It will also make health care and education more accessible.
Chakwera said the new power line would provide a safe and dependable electrical hookup. With an initial supply of 50 megawatts, Malawi will also be able to participate fully in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). He also stated that Malawi is interested in increasing its power purchase from Mozambique from 50 to 110MW and bemoaned that Cyclone Gombe had recently wrecked portions of Malawi’s energy infrastructure, resulting in a loss of 129MW on the system that would take time to restore.
Reported earlier
Aug 2017
Mozambique-Malawi Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) power interconnection line to evacuate 200MW
Mozambique-Malawi power transmission lines
Mozambique will construct 140km while 78km will be the responsibility of Malawi. The major element in the interconnection will be a 400kV transmission line between two substations. One will be at Matambo, in the western Mozambique province of Tete and the other at Phombeya in Malawi.
9% of the Malawian population has access to electricity in both urban and rural areas. For this reason, there are projects planned to improve electricity connections countrywide.
Mutharika cited the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2016 that created the Electricity Generation Company. It took over the electricity generation function from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi.
“Completion of a feasibility study and environmental and social impact assessment for Malawi and Mozambique power interconnector, the commencement of the Malawi Rural Electrification Program (MAREP) Phase 8 which will connect 336 rural centres throughout Malawi to the national electricity grid and completion of feasibility studies for the 300MW Kamwamba Coal-fired Power Plant,” he said.
Aug 2019
Mozambique inks deal to complete Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) Power Interconnection Project
The government of Mozambique through Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) has secured a deal with German Development Bank (KFW) to finance the completion of the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnection Project.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy in Mozambique confirmed the development adding that the project involves the construction of a 440KV substation and a 218km power transmission line between Matambo (Tete province) and Phombeya (Malawi), connecting the electricity networks of the two countries.
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Mozambique-Malawi Interconnection Project
Mozambique’s share of the credit is US $45m and involves the installation of a 135km, 220KV power line while on the Malawi side, about 75 km of the 220-kilovolt transmission line will be built and a new 220KV substation installed at Phombeya.
The project will also connect Malawi to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) for the first time, allowing two-way energy trade between the two countries. This will ensure a much-needed diversification in Malawi’s electricity supply and allow the export of any off-peak power surpluses and also provide Mozambique’s energy sector with a new revenue source. The SAPP oversees electricity trade among member countries in southern Africa
“Mozambique is rich in conventional and renewable sources of energy and presents itself as a regional energy hub, so the interconnection between Mozambique and Malawi provides access to the regional market, enabling large energy projects in Mozambique to become viable,” said Mozambique’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Max Tonela.
“Malawi will thus be able to participate equally with all other Member States in regional electricity trade, including importation and exportation to the regional market. In fact, it is another important step towards regional integration in the context of the Southern African Development Community,” he added.
Nov 2021
Construction of the Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) Power Interconnection line in Malawi Begins
On Tuesday, November 23, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, who arrived in the country on Monday, joined his host counterpart President Lazarus Chakwera at Phombeya in Balaka District to kick off construction on the Mozambique-Malawi power transmission link project in malawi.
The interconnection project comprises the building of a 400KV Matambo substation in Tete, Mozambique, and 218km of transmission lines from that source into Malawi, from which Malawi is scheduled to receive 50 megawatts of power. The transmission lines will run 142 kilometres from Matambo substation to Phombeya, Malawi, passing through Mwanza and Neno districts, and will be finished in 2023.
The completion of this project will result in enhanced access to power in Malawi, with an initial capacity of 50MW and the ability to expand in the future. Malawi’s existing power-producing capacity is now hovering around 50MW, according to the 2017 Integrated Resource Plan.
By 2030, peak energy demand is expected to reach 1,860MW. The interconnection project aims to contribute to regional economic growth by linking Malawi’s electricity market with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to balance the region’s power deficit through regional power trading.
Phase 1 Of the Mozambique-Malawi Power Transmission
The Mozambique-Malawi power transmission link project’s first phase includes a technical and economic feasibility study, project definition and scope, and an environmental and social impact assessment, all of which were completed in 2017.
President Chakwera mentioned the railway repair project that the two nations are working on to connect Malawi to the Sena Line that runs from Vila Nova de Fronteira to Marka across the border. He went on to say that this connectivity project is another milestone in the two countries’ relationship.
According to Chakwere, the initiative intends to open up trade channels in the SAPP, with the possibility of future trade and power exchanges. With the completion of the Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector, he stated that progress toward adding 1,000 megawatts to the national grid over the next four years is being made.
The World Bank’s IDA Credit is worth $15 million, the European Union’s KFW Grant is worth $20 million, and the Malawi government is worth $3.5 million. It is planned to generate over 1000 jobs throughout its construction. Nyusi expressed his delight at the Malawi government’s investment of US$3.5 million in the project for the installation of transmission lines along the 76-kilometre stretch, claiming that this shows Chakwera’s administration’s dedication to the project.
Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) Power Interconnection Project now Underway
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has awarded key contracts for the construction of the 218-kilometre Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector Project and Matambo Substation as part of the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnection Project (MOMA).
ESCOM Senior Project Manager Alex Kaitane gave a news conference in Blantyre on Tuesday to update the public on the MOMA Project’s progress.
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According to him, the transmission line and expansion of Phombeya will be built by L&T India, while the Matambo Substation Upgrade will be built by Sino Hydro of China, with both projects being managed by Gopa Intec International of Germany.
Completion date for Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector Project
Kaitane said that the project would now be completed in October 2023 rather than December 2022 as scheduled due to Covid-19, which delayed work and organization.
He went on to note that the arrival of Covid-19, which happened while we were already doing some preparatory work for the project, disrupted our work and organization, and was the major reason for the delays.
The Joint Project Implementation Unit, which is made up of staff from EDM in Mozambique and ESCOM in Malawi, administers and implements the Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector Project.
Kaitane said they had pushed contractors and consultants to make the most of the local labour, which will always be accessible if Covid-19 strikes. They are unable to mobilise into the country to meet the completion date.
Senior Project Accountant Joseph Kamwendo refuted fears that the Kwacha’s fluctuation would affect the project’s worth, claiming that the funding was done in US dollars and Euros at the outset.
He went on to claim that the majority of the contracts were given to foreign contractors who would be paid in dollars and that all of their quoting was done in dollars as well, so the Kwacha volatility would have no effect.
The MOMA initiative is supported by the World Bank, the European Union through KfW, and the Malawian government through ESCOM. It will cost you a total of USD127 million. Once completed, it will provide 50 Megawatts to the country’s electrical grid.
https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/mozambique-inks-deal-to-complete-mozambique-malawi-interconnection-project/#:~:text=Mozambique%20inks%20deal%20to%20complete%20Mozambique%2DMalawi%20Interconnection%20Project,-Modified%20date%3A%20Aug&text=The%20government%20of%20Mozambique%20through,the%20Mozambique%2DMalawi%20Interconnection%20Project.
https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/mozambique-malawi-power-transmission-line-evacuate-200mw/
https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/malawi-mozambique-interconnector-project-now-underway/
https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/construction-of-the-mozambique-malawi-power-transmission-link-begins/
