The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has invested TZS380.2 million in an electricity project at Ugalla National Park, seeking to improve tourism infrastructure, attract private investors and expand economic opportunities for communities bordering the protected area.
The project, launched on November 2, 2026, is expected to improve the quality of services offered to tourists, enhance working conditions for park employees and support conservation operations.
It also brings the prospect of new income-generating activities for residents of Uyumbu Village, which borders the park, as access to electricity could enable households and small businesses to expand their economic activities.
Launching the project, TANAPA Conservation Commissioner Massana Mwishawa said reliable electricity was essential to unlocking the park's tourism and investment potential while creating opportunities for surrounding communities.
“The project aims to stimulate tourism activities and attract investors to the park by bringing electricity closer and making it easier to access. It will also encourage communities to establish various electricity-powered businesses and generate their own income,” he said.
His remarks point to the potential of infrastructure investment to extend the economic benefits of national parks beyond wildlife-based tourism, particularly to communities living alongside protected areas.
TANAPA Western Zone Chief Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner Godwell Meng’ataki said electricity access would open up new economic opportunities for residents while supporting development activities in the surrounding areas.
He said the investment would also improve services for visitors, enhance their experience and contribute to the growth of tourism at Ugalla National Park.
For park management, reliable electricity is expected to strengthen daily operations and improve the working environment for employees.
Ugalla National Park Chief Assistant Conservation Commissioner Moronda Moronda said the project was an important investment in improving staff welfare and the delivery of tourism services.
He thanked TANAPA for financing and implementing the project, saying improved infrastructure would help strengthen the park's tourism potential and increase its contribution to the national economy.
The project involved installing 96 concrete electricity poles and a transformer with a capacity of 100 kilovolt-amperes (KVA) to facilitate electricity distribution and improve operational efficiency within the park.
The investment comes as conservation authorities seek to strengthen the contribution of national parks to economic development through tourism, investment and improved relations with neighbouring communities.
For Uyumbu residents, however, the project's wider economic impact will depend on how effectively access to electricity translates into opportunities for small businesses, value-adding activities and other income-generating ventures.
The TZS380.2 million investment therefore represents not only an improvement in the park's infrastructure but also an opportunity to strengthen the link between wildlife conservation, tourism development and community livelihoods.