BLANTYRE — The World Bank has approved a $350 million grant to support Malawi’s ambitious Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project, a major infrastructure initiative poised to double the nation’s hydropower capacity and expand electricity access to over a million households.
Announced in a statement on Thursday, the World Bank said the project would be a transformative step for Malawi, not only in energy production but also in employment generation, with thousands of jobs expected during the development phase.
The Mpatamanga project, estimated to cost more than $1.5 billion in total, represents Malawi’s largest-ever foreign direct investment. Structured as a public-private partnership, the project is being spearheaded by a consortium selected in 2022, comprising Electricité de France (EDF), SN Malawi BV — backed by British International Investment, Norfund, and TotalEnergies.
Once complete, the hydropower facility will boast a capacity of 358 megawatts, effectively doubling Malawi’s current hydro-based energy generation. The plan includes the construction of two new dams along the Shire River, strategically located between two existing power stations. The project is expected to significantly enhance energy reliability in Malawi, reduce power shortages, and foster sustainable development through clean energy.