Tanzania is targeting more than 8,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity by 2030/31, as the government seeks to meet rising demand from industries, attract new investors and accelerate economic growth towards its ambition of becoming a US$1 trillion economy by 2050.
Deputy Finance Minister Laurent Luswetula said reliable electricity supply would be central to the country's economic transformation, warning that industrial expansion and increased production would require sufficient and dependable energy.
He made the remarks in Cotonou, Benin, after chairing the 35th Board of Governors meeting of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), held alongside the Africa Think Tank Summit.
Mr Luswetula represented Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar at the meeting.
He said the government's energy ambitions were closely linked to the National Development Vision 2050, which targets a US$1 trillion economy and a per capita income of approximately US$7,000.
"Tanzania is ready for an economic transformation because our goal is to ensure that we have sufficient electricity and energy to support our people, national development and economic growth," he said.
The deputy minister said the government was strengthening electricity generation and distribution to respond to increasing demand driven by economic activities, new investments and the expansion of industries.
"Our target is to exceed 8,000MW by 2030/31. We know that to establish more industries, increase production and grow the economy, we must have sufficient electricity," he said.
The target reflects the growing importance of energy infrastructure in Tanzania's industrialisation ambitions, particularly as the country seeks to attract investment in manufacturing and expand economic activities beyond major urban centres.
For businesses, reliable electricity is essential in controlling production costs, avoiding interruptions and improving competitiveness. Increased power availability could also create opportunities for new industries, with potential benefits for employment and household incomes.
Mr Luswetula said adequate electricity would also support the implementation of strategic infrastructure projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which is expected to extend to Mwanza, Kigoma and other parts of the country.
He added that reliable energy supplies would give existing investors confidence to expand their operations while encouraging new investors to establish businesses in Tanzania.
The government is also seeking to widen access to electricity, particularly in areas that have not yet been fully connected to the national power supply.
According to Mr Luswetula, more than 9,000 additional villages are expected to receive electricity under the ongoing expansion programme.
He stressed that the government's efforts were not limited to increasing electricity generation but also ensuring that households and businesses across the country benefit from improved access to energy.
Mr Luswetula said policies implemented under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration had continued to create a favourable environment for existing businesses and prospective investors.
The discussions at the ACBF meeting also focused on Africa's energy challenges, covering electricity generation, distribution and access, as participating countries explored ways to secure sufficient energy to support industrial development.
Tanzania held discussions with representatives from other African countries on the need to improve energy security and expand industrial capacity, with electricity identified as a key foundation for economic transformation.
The country's target of exceeding 8,000MW by 2030/31 will therefore be an important test of its ability to match energy infrastructure development with its industrialisation ambitions and the economic aspirations set out in Vision 2050.