For more than six decades, residents of Lumbila and other remote settlements along the shores of Lake Nyasa lived without electricity, relying on kerosene lamps and other traditional energy sources long after much of the country had been connected to the national grid.
That chapter came to an end on Thursday after the Rural Energy Agency (REA), working with contractor SUMA JKT, commissioned electricity services in Lumbila hamlet in Ludewa District, marking the first time the community has had access to power since Tanzania gained independence in 1961.
The electrification of the lakeside settlement is part of a wider government initiative to extend electricity access to remote communities and bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Rural Energy Board (REB) Chairman, retired Ambassador and Major General Jacob Kingu, described the achievement as a clear demonstration of the Sixth Phase Government’s commitment to ensuring that no Tanzanian is left behind in accessing modern energy services.
He said President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration had prioritised rural electrification as a catalyst for economic transformation, improved social services and better living standards.
“The arrival of electricity in communities that have remained in darkness for generations is a significant step towards inclusive development,” he said.
The commissioning ceremony, held at Lumbila Catholic Church, attracted residents from surrounding villages, many of whom celebrated what they described as a historic milestone for the area.
REA officials said the project to electrify six settlements along the Lake Nyasa shoreline is being implemented at a cost of Sh3.124 billion.
Representing the Director of Rural Electrification, Engineer Thomas Mmbaga said the project has so far reached 67 per cent completion, with electricity already switched on in three of the six targeted settlements.
He said the project includes the construction of 36.6 kilometres of medium-voltage power lines and 15.1 kilometres of low-voltage distribution networks designed to connect households, public institutions and businesses.
According to Mr Mmbaga, the infrastructure is expected to serve 151 single-phase customers and nine three-phase customers, while demand for connections continues to grow.
“More than 23 households have already submitted applications for electricity connections, and we expect that number to increase significantly as awareness of the service grows,” he said.
For the contractor, delivering electricity to the remote shoreline communities required overcoming considerable logistical and geographical challenges.
SUMA JKT Managing Director Major James Simon Mwame said difficult terrain and limited transport infrastructure made the project particularly demanding, forcing engineers and technicians to adopt innovative approaches to move materials and construct the network.
Despite the challenges, he said, the company remained committed to ensuring that residents in some of the country’s most isolated communities could benefit from reliable electricity.
“Our teams worked under difficult conditions, but the determination to bring electricity to these communities never changed. Today we are witnessing the results of that effort,” he said.
The challenges associated with the project were highlighted by the route taken by officials attending the commissioning ceremony.
Led by Mr Kingu, the delegation travelled approximately 11 kilometres by boat from Matema in Kyela District, Mbeya Region, to reach Ludewa, underlining the difficult geography that has historically limited infrastructure development along the lakeshore.
For residents, however, the significance of the project extends far beyond lighting homes.
Local fisherman Bakari Gowele said electricity would transform the fishing industry by enabling the production of ice and improving fish preservation facilities, reducing post-harvest losses and opening access to more lucrative markets.
“Previously, preserving fish for long periods was difficult. With electricity, we can store our catch better and transport it to distant markets while maintaining quality,” he said.
Beyond fisheries, local leaders expect the project to stimulate small businesses, improve healthcare and education services, and create new economic opportunities for young people.
The electrification of Lumbila and neighbouring settlements represents another milestone in Tanzania’s rural energy expansion programme, which has significantly increased electricity access across the country over the past decade.
As power lines continue to extend into some of the nation’s most remote corners, communities that once viewed electricity as a distant dream are increasingly becoming part of the country’s growing energy network bringing with it new opportunities for economic growth and social development.
