The Government of Tanzania, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA), is set to make a landmark push in the country’s energy sector with the launch of the Mtera Power Cooling and Distribution Station and the signing of contracts for a nationwide electricity distribution project targeting 9,009 villages.
REA Director General, Eng. Hassan Saidy, announced the initiatives during a press briefing in Dodoma on January 15, 2026, highlighting that the events will be graced by the Minister of Energy, Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi.
“On January 16, the Mtera Power Cooling Station will be officially inaugurated, and on January 17, we will sign 30 contracts worth TZS 1.2 trillion to implement this large-scale electricity distribution project across more than 9,000 villages,” Eng. Saidy said.
The Mtera Station, constructed at a cost of TZS 9.2 billion, was funded through a collaboration between the Tanzanian Government and the Governments of Sweden and Norway.
The upcoming distribution project will involve 21 local contractors and nine foreign contractors registered in Tanzania, with full implementation expected over the next three years.
Eng. Saidy urged Tanzanians to take advantage of the opportunities created by the projects, including employment, business, and service provision, while encouraging communities to leverage electricity to enhance productivity and social services.
“This project reflects the vision of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. It is a unique initiative that will unlock economic potential and is the largest project ever undertaken by REA in terms of cost and the number of villages to benefit,” he added.
The dual initiatives mark a milestone in Tanzania’s energy expansion strategy, strengthening infrastructure, creating jobs, and bringing modern electricity services closer to rural communities.