ESCOM Token: Features, How it Works, How to Buy it, etc.

Ifytex Chibuzor

Hi, I’m Ifytext Chibuzor. I'm an electrician. I have spent over 4 years working with prepaid meters, solar setups, and inverters. I started PowerPek to share real-life solutions to the everyday power issues many of us face with our prepaid meters — from token errors to meter tampering warnings and many others.

Ifytex Chibuzor

When it comes to prepaid meter tokens in Malawi, the ESCOM token is a household name that is known across the country.

The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi gives prepaid meter tokens to users of prepaid meters in the country. Once your prepaid electricity credit unit reaches zero, you can buy an ESCOM token to top up and keep your electricity supply running.

An ESCOM token is a unique 20-digit code that represents the electricity credit unit in kilowatt-hours. This token translates to credit units once they are loaded onto a prepaid meter.

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Tokens are the lifewire of prepaid meters because, without them, meters won’t be able to supply electricity. Because of that, if your credit balance finishes, you will need to buy a token and load it into your meter before you will be able to use electricity again.

What is an ESCOM token?

The Escom token is a 20-digit unique number that represents a certain amount of kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity.

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It is a specific code that translates to electricity credit units when you load it into your prepaid electricity meter.

So, if you’re under Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), the ESCOM token is that 20-digit code that you normally receive when you recharge your prepaid electricity meter

As a user of a prepaid meter in Malawi, you’ll need to buy this ESCOM token and input it into your prepaid meter through the customer user interface unit. Once you load this token, it will automatically add to your electricity credit unit in your Prepaid Meter account.

Features of ESCOM Token

ESCOM tokens are unique; they have the following features:

1. ESCOM Tokens are Meter-Specific

One of the special features of ESCOM tokens is that they are meter-specific. This means that the token can only work for a particular prepaid meter. If you buy an ESCOM token for a specific prepaid meter, the token will only work for the meter for which you bought it.

If you’ve been keen enough when buying the ESCOM token, you’ll notice that there is always provision for a meter number. This means that once you buy a token with a particular meter number, that token can only work for the prepaid meter that has that number. The token won’t work on another prepaid meter with a different number.

2. ESCOM Tokens expire

Another feature of ESCOM tokens that you may not be aware of is that they’ve got a validity period. This means that the tokens expire after a given period of time.

Sometimes, the validity period of ESCOM tokens ranges from 3 to 6 months, after which they become worthless. This means that if you don’t load your tokens into your meter after this period, it won’t add credit to your meter again.

So, it is best to load the ESCOM tokens into your meter after purchasing them so that they won’t expire and become worthless.

3. Your prepaid Meter May Reject ESCOM Token

Do you know that your prepaid meter may reject the ESCOM token in some instances? If you’ve used a prepaid meter for a long time, you may have noticed that sometimes, if you try to load an ESCOM token into it, it may reject the token.

This is a common feature of a prepaid meter token, like the ESCOMSCOM token. When the token is rejected, you can try out some troubleshooting measures to get it fixed and try loading it later.

4. The token identifier has a Limited Range

Another unique feature of the ESCOM token is that its identifier has a limited range.

If you have been following updates from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi, you will notice that they have been calling on prepaid meter users to upgrade their meters before the token rollover period elapses.

So, due to the limited range of token identifiers, the current token identifiers used globally will become outdated by November 2024. So, this is a soft reminder for you to upgrade your prepaid meter using a key change token (KCT) before it becomes late. If you fail to upgrade your prepaid meter before November 2024, you won’t be able to load a token into your meter.

How does an ESCOM token work?

The ESCOM token follows the sequence below:

1. Token purchase

The first step to take when you want to get ESCOM token is to buy it from accredited vendors. Interestingly, there are numerous platforms where you can buy ESCOM tokens, such as from online platforms, ESCOM portal, authorised vendors, etc.

2. Token Generation

Once you have made the payment, the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi will generate a 20-digit token for you using your meter number and the amount of electricity credit you purchased.

3. Token Loading

Once you receive the token, you’ll need to input it into your prepaid meter. You can input the 20-digit codes into your meter using the customer interface unit (CIU) of your meter.

Put the number carefully; after inputting it, you can click on the ‘’Enter’’ button and your electricity credit balance will be updated automatically.

4. Electricity Consumption

After loading the tokens into your meter, your electricity supply will start using the tokens as credit units. Once the units exhaust, your electricity supply will be interrupted until you buy another ESCOM token.

How to Purchase ESCOM Token

Purchasing an ESCOM token is quite simple and straightforward since there are different platforms where you can buy it seamlessly. Some of the platforms where you can buy ESCOM tokens are:

ESCOM office
Online vending platforms.
Authorised vendors
Mobile money services, etc.

ESCOM Token Problems and Solutions

Just like other prepaid meter tokens that prepaid meter users normally have issues with while using, the ESCOM token is not devoid of problems.

So, in this section, we shall be enumerating some of the common problems with the ESCOM token and still offering solutions for them. Let’s proceed.

ESCOM Token Problems

Invalid token error
Meter not accepting tokens
No credit is displayed after loading.

Solutions

Ensure that you input the 20-digit token correctly.
Buy ESCOM tokens from reliable vendors
Re-start your meter by turning off the main switch and turning it on again after a few seconds.
If the issues persist, kindly reach out to ESCOM customer support for assistance.

ESCOM Token Online

You can get an ESCOM token online from different portals, like webportal.escom.mw , mobile money services, internet banking, etc. Whenever you want to buy the token online, ensure that you input your correct meter number because the tokens are meter-specific.

Escom Prepaid Token Inquiry

For an ESCOM prepaid token inquiry, you can contact the ESCOM customer care representative for assistance. Kindly click here and fill out the contact form with relevant details such as your first name, last name, email address, and phone number, and write your inquiry in the space provided. After that, tap on the submit tab, and they will attend to you shortly.

Wrap Up

Conclusively, it’s safe to say that ESCOM tokens have become a part of daily life in Malawi, especially if you use a prepaid meter. We’ve all been there—your electricity runs out, and you rush to buy a token. Whether you’re topping up through an online platform, from a vendor, or using mobile money, the ESCOM token is what keeps your lights on.

But it’s not just about buying tokens—it’s understanding how they work, knowing they’re meter-specific, and even realizing that they can expire if you don’t use them in time. Having that 20-digit code is essential, but so is knowing what to do if something goes wrong—whether your meter rejects the token or your purchase doesn’t go through.

Staying informed is key. Make sure you keep your meter number handy, and when in doubt, always double-check before loading your token. And don’t forget—by November 2024, upgrading your meter is a must, or else you won’t be able to load any tokens at all.

In short, the ESCOM token may just be a 20-digit code, but it’s the lifeline for your electricity. So stay on top of it, know how to troubleshoot common issues, and make sure your prepaid meter is ready for the future.