Good afternoon. The electrification of Mozambique is proceeding at a fast pace. In 2023, according to official figures, over 500,000 households were connected to electrical grids, and for the first time ever, over 50% of Mozambicans were said to have access to electricity. Now, over 60% have access, according to the state-owned electric utility EDM. At this rate, the government’s long-standing target of 100% access by 2030 should be quite feasible, despite the various delays to projects to build electricity transmission lines.
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But while more and more households have been enjoying electricity supply, power cuts and electrical faults have become a way of life for Mozambicans across the country. In cities and towns including the capital Maputo, it is not unusual to have more than one power cut a day. Shutdowns of power are supposed to be warned about in advance, but in practice the information is often unreliable. As well as power cuts, the amount of electrical current fluctuates. When it is too low, lights and other devices cannot function properly; when it is too high, appliances can blow a fuse.
