Our Correspondence, Kongwa, Tanzania
Tanzania’s state-owned power utility, TANESCO, has completed major electricity infrastructure projects worth more than TSh10.5 billion (approximately $4 million) aimed at improving power reliability and supporting economic growth across five districts in the country’s central corridor.
The projects, commissioned on June 16, 2026 by Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi in Mbande area, Kongwa District, include a new electricity switching station, a 20 MVA Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) transformer, and a 92-kilometre, 33-kilovolt power distribution line connecting the Zuzu substation to Mbande.
The investment is expected to benefit residents and businesses in the districts of Kongwa, Chamwino, Mpwapwa, Kiteto and Gairo, where electricity demand has increased alongside expanding economic activities and investment opportunities.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Ndejembi said the projects reflect the government’s continued commitment under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to expand access to reliable electricity and strengthen energy infrastructure as a foundation for economic and social development.
“The completion of these projects has significantly improved the reliability of electricity supply. Previously, a fault in one district could affect electricity services in several other areas, particularly during the rainy season. Today we are witnessing the impact of strategic investment in infrastructure that serves our people,” Ndejembi said.
He added that the government will continue investing in strategic energy projects to increase electricity generation, transmission and distribution capacity in line with Tanzania’s growing economy and rising energy demand.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, Subira Mgalu, said the projects demonstrate the government’s ongoing efforts to address electricity challenges and improve services for citizens.
“We are encouraged to see the progress made by TANESCO in ensuring Tanzanians receive reliable electricity. Frequent outages that previously affected these areas have been greatly reduced due to this investment,” she said.
Kongwa District Commissioner Mayeka Simon Mayeka urged local communities and investors to take advantage of the improved electricity supply by establishing industries, processing facilities and other income-generating activities to accelerate local development.
TANESCO Managing Director Lazaro Twange said the affected districts had for many years depended on a single 33-kilovolt electricity line from Dodoma City, creating vulnerability to outages as demand increased.
“Previously, one power line served five different districts. With increasing electricity demand and new investment opportunities, this created challenges in maintaining reliable supply. Since these projects became operational, power disruptions have reduced by more than 90 percent,” Twange said.
The completion of the projects is expected to enhance electricity reliability, attract new investments, strengthen industrial activities and improve the delivery of social services across the five districts.
