The demand for electricity in Tanzania is growing at an average rate of between 10 and 15 percent every year, largely driven by population growth and the expansion of industrial and commercial activities across the country.
The trend has pushed the government to strengthen efforts aimed at ensuring a reliable electricity supply while continuing to invest in the expansion of energy infrastructure.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, said the increasing demand reflects the country’s growing economy and the need to expand investments in the energy sector.
Speaking at the Powering Africa Summit held in Washington, DC on March 20, 2025, Makamba said the energy sector remains a key pillar in supporting Tanzania’s economic transformation.
She said that by March 2026, the country’s electricity generation capacity had reached 4,383 megawatts, while peak demand stood at about 2,100 megawatts.
Despite the current gap between supply and demand, Makamba noted that the steady rise in electricity consumption requires continued investment in power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to meet future needs.
She said the government has already achieved a major milestone by extending electricity infrastructure to all villages in mainland Tanzania, significantly improving access to power in rural areas.
However, she acknowledged that the level of electricity connection in households remains relatively low, indicating that many homes are still not connected to the national grid.
Makamba said the government is targeting 100 percent electricity access by 2030, while aiming to raise household connectivity to 75 percent as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic and social development.
She also highlighted that Tanzania is endowed with a wide range of energy resources including natural gas, hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal, which provide strong potential to meet the country’s rising energy demand.
According to her, the government will continue promoting the development and use of renewable energy while encouraging both domestic and foreign investment in the sector.
The ongoing investments are expected to help meet growing electricity demand and strengthen Tanzania’s position as an emerging energy hub in Africa.
