Our correspondence, Tabora
A subsidiary of Tanzania’s state-owned power utility has begun distributing concrete electricity poles produced at its newly completed factory in Tabora, marking a key step in efforts to strengthen the country’s power transmission and distribution infrastructure.
The company, Tanzania Concrete Poles Manufacturing (TCPM), said the rollout of the poles would support ongoing upgrades to electricity networks across the country, with initial deliveries targeting Tabora and neighbouring regions.
Speaking during the first loading and dispatch exercise on June 6, TCPM Acting General Manager Khadija Abdallahmed said the start of distribution marked a major milestone following the factory's completion earlier this year.
“We are witnessing an important achievement as poles manufactured at our Tabora facility begin reaching customers in Tabora and surrounding regions,” she said, adding that the project was made possible through support from the government and the national utility, TANESCO.
The concrete poles are expected to improve the durability and reliability of electricity infrastructure by replacing traditional wooden poles that are vulnerable to decay, fire, and weather-related damage.
According to TCPM, the poles have an estimated lifespan of 50 to 100 years, significantly reducing maintenance costs and the risk of power interruptions associated with deteriorating infrastructure.
TCPM Design and Quality Manager Emmanuel Mrema said the factory has also introduced technical improvements aimed at enhancing network security and safety.
He noted that the new poles are designed with internal grounding wires, commonly known as earth wires, a departure from previous systems where the wires were installed externally.
“The new design helps address the persistent problem of theft of grounding wires while improving the safety and resilience of TANESCO’s infrastructure,” Mrema said.
The Tabora concrete pole factory was constructed in 2024 and completed in February 2026 for TShs. 7.9 billion. The facility has already produced 1,195 concrete poles, which are now ready for deployment to electricity projects across the country.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to modernise Tanzania’s electricity network, improve service reliability and support expanding access to power for households, businesses and industries.
