The government has kept electricity tariffs unchanged for the past decade, despite a steady rise in the cost of power infrastructure, in a deliberate effort to ensure electricity remains affordable to ordinary Tanzanians, Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi has said.
Speaking in Dodoma on January 21, 2026 during the second joint meeting between the Ministry of Energy, its institutions and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, Mr Ndejembi said the policy, in place since 2016, reflects the government’s commitment to widening access to electricity without overburdening citizens.
He said that while the prices of essential electricity components such as poles, cables and meters have increased significantly, the government has absorbed the pressure to protect consumers.
“Our objective is to ensure that every Tanzanian can access and use electricity at an affordable cost,” he said.
According to the minister, electricity access across the country has reached 52 percent, with the Sixth Phase Government targeting to raise the figure to 75 percent by 2030.
He said the target is being pursued under the Africa Energy Compact, which Tanzania signed in January 2025 during the African Heads of State Summit.
Mr Ndejembi also highlighted progress in the rollout of smart electricity meters, saying the installation exercise is ongoing nationwide.
He explained that the new meters will allow customers to start using electricity immediately after purchasing tokens, without the need for a separate Customer Interface Unit (CIU), a change expected to reduce technical challenges associated with the previous system.
On regional power supply, the minister said implementation of the 400kV transmission line project to Rukwa Region is progressing well under contractor TBEA, a development that will enable the region to access reliable national grid electricity.
He further cited an ongoing project to strengthen power supply in Mtwara, Lindi, Tabora and Simiyu regions, being implemented by contractor Kalpataru.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, Subira Mgalu, commended the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) and the Rural Energy Agency (REA) for their role in expanding access to reliable electricity across the country.
She attributed the gains to the vision of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, particularly through the implementation of large-scale power generation projects, including the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, the 50MW Kishapu solar power project expected to come on stream, and the ongoing 49MW Malagarasi hydropower project.
Ms Mgalu said improved electricity availability has significantly supported economic growth and boosted government revenue, especially in the industrial and mining sectors.
She noted that the strengthened power supply environment contributed to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) recording a historic TZS4.13 trillion in revenue collections last month.
She also praised REA for prioritising local contractors in electricity distribution projects and for intensifying campaigns on the use of clean cooking energy, emphasising that such education should be extended to early childhood education levels to nurture long-term awareness and adoption.