By Alfred Zacharia
The completion of the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Plant (JNHPP) is a game-changer for Tanzania’s energy sector, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s development.
According to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Tanzania now has the capacity to feed a total of 4,031.7 megawatts into the national grid, following the successful connection of 2,115 megawatts from the JNHPP in March 2025.
In his budget speech for the Prime Minister’s Office presented in Parliament on April 9, 2025, Mr. Majaliwa highlighted that the country is now “significantly power-rich,” positioning Tanzania to meet its target of generating 5,000 megawatts of electricity by the end of this year.
This major leap in energy capacity not only strengthens the nation’s energy security but also enhances its role as a regional electricity hub within the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP).
Prime Minister Majaliwa also noted that between November 2020 and February 2025, the government had successfully connected electricity to 4,071 villages at a cost of Sh1.593 trillion, bringing power to all 12,318 villages across mainland Tanzania.
This achievement is a vital step in supporting economic activities in rural areas, as it enables access to electricity for businesses such as welding, carpentry, grain milling, and mineral processing.
“This development allows citizens to fully engage in economic activities that require electricity,” he stated.
The announcement of the JNHPP's completion was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, during an inspection tour of the project on April 5, 2025. This marks a new chapter for Tanzania, with the electrification of villages and sub-villages paving the way for sustainable economic growth.
