By Alfred ZachariaTanzania has achieved a historic milestone in rural electrification, connecting 78.4% of its population to electricity, with 100% coverage in rural areas.
Out of 64,359 sub-villages on mainland Tanzania, 33,657—equivalent to 52.3%—have been electrified, while plans are underway to connect the remaining 30,702. By 2030, an additional 13.5 million Tanzanians are expected to gain access to electricity, up from the current 5.2 million.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam, the Director of Rural Energy (REA), Mr. Jones Olotu, attributed this progress to the government’s commitment to improving energy access nationwide.
He noted that Tanzania’s population, estimated at 60 million according to the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) census, has greatly benefited from the government’s ambitious electrification initiatives.
The upcoming M300 Energy Summit will bring together 54 African Heads of State and other key leaders, including Ministers of Finance and Energy, to discuss strategies for advancing energy access across the continent.
The summit will highlight Tanzania’s energy achievements, focusing on President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s global leadership in advocating for clean energy solutions.
Her efforts have positioned Tanzania as a model for clean cooking energy and broader energy sector development.
The event, scheduled to take place on January 27–28, 2025, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, will also feature an exhibition showcasing innovations in energy.
The summit is expected to further solidify Tanzania’s role in driving sustainable energy initiatives across Africa.
