By the Respondents reporter
Dar es Salaam. Mr. Plasduce Mbossa has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the state-owned Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), as the country seeks to consolidate recent gains in electricity generation and improve service delivery amid rising demand.
Mr. Mbossa formally assumed office on December 16, 2025, following a handover ceremony in Dar es Salaam attended by board members and senior management.
He takes over from Dr. Rhimo Nyansaho, who recently transitioned from the role to serve as Minister for Defence and National Service.
Speaking after the handover, Mr. Mbossa said TANESCO had made significant progress in recent years, citing the completion of several large-scale power projects that have strengthened the country’s electricity.
“TANESCO is in a stronger position than before, with major projects completed and electricity supply stabilised. The focus now is to expand generation capacity further in line with growing demand,” Mr. Mbossa said.
He also pointed to ongoing reforms aimed at improving customer service, noting that efficiency gains and digital systems have helped place consumers at the centre of service delivery.
Dr. Nyansaho, the outgoing board chair, stated that progress during his tenure was driven by close cooperation between the board and management, adding that the company was now better positioned to meet national energy needs.
During Dr. Nyansaho’s leadership, TANESCO oversaw the implementation of key power projects, including the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, the Rusumo Power Project, transmission infrastructure expansions such as the Lemuguru project, and grid stabilisation initiatives.
The period also saw the connection of Tanzania’s western regions of Kigoma and Katavi to the national electricity grid, improving access to reliable power in previously underserved areas.
Other projects are approaching completion, including the Kishapu Solar Power Project, which has reached more than 84 per cent completion, according to TANESCO.
In parallel, the utility has undertaken internal reforms, including improvements in working conditions for employees and upgrades to customer service platforms.
These include a strengthened call centre, a toll-free customer service line, and the rollout of digital communication systems to improve responsiveness.
