By Alfred Zacharia
The Rural Energy Agency (REA) has announced a significant milestone in rural electrification, reporting that as of December 2024, 12,301 out of 12,318 villages in Tanzania have been connected to electricity, achieving a 99.9% electrification rate.
Speaking on January 5, 2025, during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam, REA’s Director of Rural Electrification, Mr. Jones Olotu, highlighted this achievement ahead of the African Heads of State Energy Summit.
He stated that the remaining 17 villages are currently under infrastructure development and are expected to be electrified by the end of January 2025.
Mr. Olotu further noted that 33,657 hamlets, equivalent to 52.3% of the 64,359 hamlets in Tanzania Mainland, now have access to electricity, while the remaining 30,702 hamlets have been included in a five-year electrification plan.
These efforts have not only expanded access to energy but also significantly improved the quality of life for rural residents by creating new opportunities for investment and economic growth through reliable electricity.
Tanzania will host the African Heads of State Energy Summit from January 27–28, 2025, an event expected to attract over 1,500 participants. Attendees will include African leaders, Energy and Finance Ministers, Ambassadors, international organizations, energy investors, and researchers.