- First 196 m high transmission tower completed for 1.8 km Zambezi River crossing.
- US$130 million project to connect Malawi to regional power market.
- Initial 50 MW power imports expected, scaling up to 200 MW.
A major milestone has been reached in the Mozambique Malawi Regional Interconnector Project with the completion of the first of two 400 kV transmission towers spanning the Zambezi River. The structure rises to 196 m, making it one of the tallest transmission towers in Africa and a critical component of the cross border power link.
The towers are designed to support a 1.8 km river crossing and form part of a 218 km high voltage transmission line linking Matambo in Mozambique to Phombeya in Malawi. Of the total line, 142 km is located in Mozambique and 76 km in Malawi.
Engineered for resilience, the towers are built to withstand extreme weather conditions including floods and cyclones, with a design life of up to 500 years. The infrastructure underpins efforts to improve grid stability and strengthen climate resilient energy systems in the region.
The inter-connector is a key step in integrating Malawi into the Southern African Power Pool, enabling access to competitive regional electricity markets and facilitating cross border power trade. Once operational, Malawi is expected to import an initial 50 MW of electricity, with the capacity to scale up to 200 MW, significantly easing chronic power shortages.
The project has mobilised approximately US$130 million in funding from international partners including the German Government through KfW, the World Bank, the European Union, and Norway.
Construction of the Zambezi crossing towers is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with commissioning of the inter-connector anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026.
The project is being implemented by Electricidade de Moçambique and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi, and represents a strategic investment in regional energy integration. It also supports Mozambique’s ambition to position itself as a regional power hub while advancing energy security across Southern Africa.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
