Mozambique energy access

Energy access in Mozambique is challenged by significant disparities, with urban areas enjoying higher electrification rates than rural regions facing severe energy poverty

Powering Mozambique: Tackling Energy Access Challenges Across Urban and Rural Divide

Mozambique, a southeastern African nation with abundant natural resources, stands at a crossroads in its quest to provide universal energy access. Despite its potential to generate 187 gigawatts from hydroelectricity, natural gas, coal, solar, and wind, only about 48% of its 32 million people had electricity access in 2022 (Mozambique Electricity Situation). The disparity between urban and rural areas is stark, with urban centers enjoying significantly higher access than rural communities, where traditional biomass remains the primary energy source. This article examines energy access in Mozambique, analyzing availability in urban and rural areas, detailing access across the 10 provinces, and highlighting efforts to increase electrification through government programs, off-grid solutions, and international partnerships.

National Energy Access Overview

Mozambique has made remarkable progress in expanding electricity access over the past two decades. The national electrification rate rose from 5% in 2001 to 31% in 2020, reaching approximately 48% by 2022 (Mozambique Electricity Situation). This improvement reflects concerted efforts by the government and international partners to address energy poverty. However, about 22 million Mozambicans still lack access to electricity, and only 5% have access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, placing Mozambique among the bottom 20 countries globally for clean cooking access (Afrobarometer).

The energy access challenge is compounded by aging infrastructure, high technical and commercial losses in distribution networks, and frequent power outages, particularly during extreme weather events like cyclones. These issues disproportionately affect rural and underserved areas, where the majority of the population resides.

Urban vs. Rural Energy Access

Urban Areas

In urban centers such as Maputo, Matola, Beira, and Nampula, electricity access is relatively high, with 75% of the urban population connected to the grid in 2020 (Mozambique Electricity Situation). Grid electricity is the primary lighting source for 68% of urban households, followed by candles (7%), kerosene lamps (7%), solar power (4%), and lanterns (2%) (Energy Access in Mozambique). However, reliability remains a concern due to aging transmission infrastructure, consumer growth, and erratic generation, leading to power cuts that disrupt daily life and damage appliances (Electricity Access Analysis).

Urban energy poverty also exists, particularly in informal settlements, where lack of services, limited livelihood opportunities, and exposure to health and environmental risks compound the challenges. Electricity tariffs, though subsidized, often exceed household budgets, making affordability a persistent issue (Sustainable Energy Access).

Rural Areas

Rural Mozambique, home to 62% of the population, faces severe energy poverty, with only about 5% of rural residents having access to electricity in 2020 (Mozambique Electricity Situation). The most common lighting sources in rural areas include kerosene lamps (17%), solar power (14%), candles (12%), lanterns and batteries (7%), and other sources like fire (17%). Alarmingly, 18% of the rural adult population lacks any form of lighting (Energy Access in Mozambique).

Reliance on traditional biomass for cooking and heating poses significant health risks due to indoor air pollution and contributes to deforestation. Fuel-based lighting, such as kerosene lamps and candles, is inefficient, costly, and hazardous, often causing fire risks. The low electrification rate in rural areas limits access to modern services like education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, perpetuating poverty cycles.

Energy Access by Province

Mozambique's 10 provinces exhibit significant variations in electrification rates, with southern provinces generally outperforming northern and central ones. Based on 2019 data from the Finscope survey, the electrification rates are as follows (Mozambique Electricity Situation):

Province

Electrification Rate (2019)

Maputo (City): 95%
Maputo Province: 62%
Gaza: 40%
Sofala: 37%
Manica: 34%
Tete: 26%
Cabo Delgado: 26%
Nampula: 25%
Zambezia: 18%
Niassa: 17%

Maputo (City and Province): Maputo City leads with a 95% electrification rate, reflecting its status as the economic and political hub. Maputo Province follows at 62%, benefiting from proximity to the capital and better infrastructure.
Southern Provinces (Gaza, Sofala, Manica): These provinces have relatively higher access, ranging from 34% to 40%, due to better grid connectivity and urban centers like Beira in Sofala.
Northern and Central Provinces (Tete, Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Zambezia, Niassa): These provinces have lower electrification rates, ranging from 17% to 26%. Zambezia and Niassa, among the poorest, face significant challenges due to remote locations and limited infrastructure.
Data Gaps: While the Finscope survey provides a snapshot, more recent provincial data is limited, and access rates may have improved slightly by 2022 due to ongoing projects.

These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions in northern and central provinces, where rural populations are predominant and energy poverty is most acute.

Efforts to Increase Energy Access

Mozambique's government, supported by international partners, has launched several initiatives to achieve universal energy access by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7). These efforts focus on grid expansion, off-grid solutions, and electrification of public facilities.

National Energy for All Programme (ProEnergia)

Launched in November 2018, the National Energy for All Programme, also known as ProEnergia, is Mozambique's flagship initiative to achieve universal electrification by 2030 (SEforALL Africa Hub). The program emphasizes:

Grid Expansion and Densification: Extending the national grid to peri-urban and rural areas and increasing household connections.
Off-Grid Solutions: Promoting renewable energy-based solutions, such as solar home systems and mini-grids, for remote communities where grid extension is not economically viable.

The program is supported by a $82 million grant from the World Bank, approved in 2019, targeting five of the poorest provinces: Niassa, Nampula, Zambezia, Cabo Delgado, and Sofala. An additional $66 million Multi-Donor Trust Fund, financed by Sweden, Norway, and the EU, complements these efforts (World Bank Grant).

www.edm-co-mz.flexibihost.com/sites/default/files/documents/Reports/Draft%20QPR%20ProEnergia%20Plus.pdf

Rural Electrification and Grid Extension

International partners have played a significant role in rural electrification:

Sweden, Norway, and Denmark: These countries have financed grid extension and household connections in Sofala, Manica, Tete, and Niassa provinces. Norway has also supported rural electrification in Cabo Delgado and grid extensions in Gurue-Cuamba-Lichinga and Namacurra-Pebane (Mozambique Energy Situation).
European Commission: Funds rural electrification in Cabo Delgado, Tete, and Sofala, as well as off-grid solar PV systems through FUNAE.
EnDev Mozambique: Supported EDM's grid densification program, leading to the government waiving connection fees in December 2020, making grid access more affordable (Mozambique Electricity Situation).

Off-Grid Solutions

Off-grid solutions are critical for reaching remote rural areas. The Fundo de Energia (FUNAE), Mozambique's public institution for off-grid rural electrification, has been a key player:

By 2012, FUNAE electrified 580 schools, 74 administrative posts, and 561 health centers in 260 villages using solar PV systems (Energy Access in Mozambique).
In 2021, USAID approved a grant to electrify 92 health facilities in Sofala Province with off-grid solar systems (Power Africa).
The government has promoted solar PV solutions, powering 700 schools and 800 other public buildings, enhancing access to education and healthcare (IEA Mozambique).

Solar home systems and renewable energy-based mini-grids are increasingly popular, providing affordable and sustainable lighting and power for rural households. These solutions reduce reliance on hazardous kerosene lamps and candles, improving safety and quality of life.

Electrification of Public Facilities

Electrifying schools, health centers, and administrative buildings is a priority to support public services:

FUNAE's efforts have focused on rural communities, ensuring access to electricity for critical infrastructure.
USAID's Power Africa program has supported off-grid solar installations in rural health facilities, benefiting an estimated 138,000 Mozambicans (Power Africa).
The World Bank's ProEnergia project includes electrification of public buildings as part of its broader access goals.

Infrastructure Investments

Major infrastructure projects also support energy access:

Temane Transmission Project (TTP): A $506 million initiative to deliver electricity from Temane to Maputo via a 563 km transmission line, improving access in urban and peri-urban areas (Power Africa).
Mozambique-Zambia and Mozambique-Malawi Interconnectors: These projects enhance regional power trade and grid reliability, indirectly supporting domestic access (Mozambique Power Generation).

Challenges to Energy Access

Despite progress, several challenges hinder Mozambique's path to universal energy access:

Aging Infrastructure: Old transmission and distribution networks result in high losses (up to 30%) and frequent outages, particularly in urban areas (Electricity Access Analysis).
Affordability: Electricity tariffs, though subsidized, often exceed household budgets, especially for low-income families. Connection fees, even when waived, remain a barrier for some (Mozambique Electricity Situation).
High Connection Costs: Many households within reach of the grid cannot afford initial connection costs, limiting access even in peri-urban areas.
Natural Disasters: Mozambique's vulnerability to cyclones and floods damages infrastructure and disrupts power supply, particularly in rural areas.
Urban Energy Poverty: Even in urban areas, informal settlements face energy poverty due to lack of services and structural issues (Sustainable Energy Access).
Rural Reach: Extending the grid to remote rural communities is costly, and low-income households often cannot afford tariffs to justify the investment (Mozambique Electricity Situation).

Public perception also reflects dissatisfaction, with 53% of Mozambicans in 2024 rating the government's performance in providing reliable electricity as poor, particularly among rural residents and the poorest citizens (Afrobarometer).