Residents of Kapopo Mhlanga Trading Centre in Mzimba South West Constituency have appealed to the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) to extend electricity services to the area, saying the lack of power continues to hinder development and negatively affect daily life.
The appeal was made during a visit by Malawi24 to the area, where community members expressed concern over the continued absence of electricity despite ongoing development in surrounding areas.
Group Village Headman Kapopo Mhlanga told Malawi24 that the area has remained underdeveloped due to the lack of electricity, saying access to power would transform the lives of people within the community.
“We have schools, businesses, and many young people with great potential, but development is being hindered because we do not have electricity. We are appealing to ESCOM and government authorities to consider our area so that people here can also benefit from modern development,” said GVH Kapopo Mhlanga.
One of the residents, Wongani Kumwenda, said people in the area feel neglected and believe access to electricity would improve livelihoods, education, and business opportunities.
“We also deserve to have electricity just like other areas. Our children struggle to study at night, and businesses cannot grow because we do not have power,” said Kumwenda.
Residents further said the lack of electricity has forced many households and small businesses to rely on expensive alternative energy sources such as candles, paraffin, and solar lamps, which they described as unreliable for supporting sustainable economic activities.
The community also noted that access to electricity would help improve security, communication, and access to information, particularly among young people and school-going children.
Meanwhile, Mzimba Youth Organization (MYO) Executive Director Rev. Moses Nkhana has urged residents to engage local leadership structures to ensure the issue is incorporated into the constituency’s development priorities.
Nkhana suggested that community members should lobby the Area Development Committee (ADC) to include electricity connectivity in the constituency development plan so that part of the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund can be allocated toward the project.
“If communities unite and advocate through the proper structures, it becomes easier for such development issues to be considered at the constituency level,” said Nkhana.
He added that electricity plays a critical role in rural development by supporting businesses, education, healthcare services, and job creation among youths.
The residents have since appealed to government authorities, ESCOM, and local leaders to urgently consider electrifying Kapopo Mhlanga saying access to electricity is essential for meaningful development in the area.
