The Government of Tanzania has directed that all households whose homes are already passed by electricity infrastructure but have not yet been connected to the national grid will now be linked at a subsidized fee of Sh27,000 only, in a move aimed at accelerating universal access to electricity across the country.
The directive was announced by the Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, on July 3, 2026, during a public rally held in Butiama District, Mara Region, as part of the working visit of Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba.
Makamba said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is determined to ensure that electricity infrastructure directly benefits citizens, especially in rural areas where many households remain unconnected despite existing power lines passing near their homes.
She directed TANESCO regional and district leadership in Mara Region to immediately identify all households where electricity lines pass over or near homes but have not yet been connected, stressing that such households must be prioritized for immediate service connection.
She also called for swift installation of transformers in areas where demand is increasing to ensure reliable power supply.
Makamba emphasized that electricity is a key foundation for development, saying it supports small businesses, improves access to health services, enhances education, and drives overall economic growth at household and community level.
She reaffirmed that the government remains committed to expanding access to electricity so that no eligible citizen is left behind, especially in remote and underserved areas.
In addition, the Deputy Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Energy has allocated more than Sh38 billion for the second phase of the Rural Electrification Expansion Project in Mara Region.
The funds are expected to expand electricity coverage to new villages and strengthen existing distribution networks to meet growing demand.
She further noted that, following directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government is working to ensure that all 51 villages in Mara Region currently without electricity are connected, as part of a broader national electrification drive.
On clean cooking energy, Makamba said the government is implementing the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which targets 80 percent usage of clean cooking solutions by 2034.
She said over 19,000 gas cookers and more than 8,000 improved cookstoves have already been distributed in Mara Region to reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels.
She added that the initiative aims to improve public health, reduce environmental degradation, and promote safer and more affordable energy options for households.
During the public engagement, residents presented six community concerns. Three of the issues were resolved immediately on-site, while the remaining matters were taken up for further government action through relevant authorities.
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) has been tasked with continuing to speed up electrification efforts as part of the government’s broader agenda of expanding reliable and affordable power to all citizens across the country.
