In a significant development for rural electrification, 82 villages in Tarime District, located in Mara Region, will soon have access to electricity through the Second Phase B of the Rural Electrification Project (HEP IIB).
The government has already announced a tender for contractors to carry out the work, and the bidding process is expected to open soon.
“The HEP IIB project is a major step towards improving the quality of life in rural Tarime. The 82 villages that have not yet been electrified will benefit greatly from this initiative,” said Judith Kapinga, the Deputy Minister of Energy, during a press briefing on April 22, 2025, in Dodoma.
Kapinga was responding to a question from Mwita Waitara, the Member of Parliament for Tarime Rural, who had asked when all villages in the region would be connected to the national grid.
Kapinga further elaborated that the Tarime Rural Constituency comprises a total of 500 villages. Of these, 225 villages are already electrified, 52 villages are currently under construction with contractors on-site, and the remaining 82 villages are included in the HEP IIB project, with the contractor selection process currently underway.
“We are committed to ensuring that all villages in Tarime get electricity, and we are moving forward with the electrification process step by step. The remaining 141 villages will receive electricity through future projects,” she added.
In addition to rural electrification, the government has made significant progress in connecting various institutions to electricity using funds from the COVID-19 recovery initiative.
"We have already connected more than 3000 institutions to electricity, including schools, healthcare facilities, religious organizations, mines, and water wells," Kapinga stated.
"This is part of our broader effort to ensure that essential services are not interrupted, especially in the wake of the pandemic."
Kapinga also emphasized that the government, through the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), continues to work tirelessly to expand electricity access to citizens in both urban and rural areas.
“TANESCO is playing a crucial role in the ongoing efforts to provide reliable electricity across the country. This will not only improve living conditions but will also create more opportunities for economic development,” she concluded.
The government’s push to electrify rural areas through such projects is expected to have far-reaching impacts on economic activities, education, healthcare, and overall community well-being.
With the inclusion of these 82 villages in the HEP IIB project, Tarime District is set to see substantial improvements in its infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the national goal of increasing electricity access across the country.
