B y Alfred Zacharia
Preparations for the Africa Energy Summit, aimed at accelerating electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030 (Mission 300), are 95% complete, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko.
Scheduled for January 27–28 in Dar es Salaam, the summit is expected to host leaders from 54 African nations, alongside finance and energy ministers, the Presidents of the World Bank (WB) and African Development Bank (AfDB), and representatives from the European Union and African Union.
Dr. Biteko made the announcement on January 15, 2025, after inspecting the Julius Nyerere International Conference Center (JNICC) in the company of Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila.
Dr. Biteko highlighted that ongoing preparations include finalizing renovations at JNICC, registering and verifying participants, and upgrading additional facilities to support the event.
He commended the Dar es Salaam leadership for enhancing the city’s appeal ahead of this significant event, which has attracted widespread global attention.
Several international organizations have expressed interest in participating, reflecting the summit’s growing influence in the energy sector.
Tanzania’s selection as the summit’s host is a testament to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s exemplary diplomacy, which has strengthened the country’s international standing.
Dr. Biteko noted that achievements in Tanzania’s energy sector, particularly in rural electrification, also played a role. Currently, all 12,318 villages in Tanzania have electricity, and 34,000 of the country’s 64,274 hamlets have been electrified.
The summit is expected to further accelerate progress by enabling 13.5 million Tanzanians to gain electricity access by 2030, up from the current 5.2 million.
Dr. Biteko emphasized the broader benefits of the summit, including increased investment opportunities, enhanced trade, and a stronger international reputation for Tanzania.
Under the leadership of the WB and AfDB, participating countries will sign agreements detailing strategies to expedite electricity distribution across the continent.
These outcomes, he noted, will further position Tanzania as a model nation in various sectors.
He called on Tanzanians to embrace the summit, which he described as a significant milestone that brings pride to President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the nation.
He also urged the media to raise awareness of the event and the opportunities it offers.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila assured that preparations to welcome international guests are nearly complete.
To facilitate the summit, some streets will be temporarily closed to accommodate exhibitions and promote local tourism, including medical tourism, as part of the broader efforts to showcase Tanzania’s potential on the global stage.