Tanzania is seeking to attract more private investment in solar power by reducing the upfront costs of developing projects, as the government looks to expand electricity generation to 70 gigawatts by 2050.
The country used the ninth General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), held in India, to present investment opportunities and outline measures aimed at making its renewable energy sector more attractive to domestic and international investors.
Tanzania's representative to the ISA, Mr Emilian Nyanda, said on November 3, 2026 that the government was prioritising solar energy as part of efforts to increase electricity supply, support economic growth and meet the targets of the National Development Vision 2050.
He said the country planned to raise its electricity generation capacity from the current 4.6 gigawatts to eight gigawatts by 2030, before reaching 70 gigawatts by 2050.
Solar power is expected to become an important contributor to this expansion, creating opportunities for investors in electricity generation, technology, infrastructure and related services.
"Tanzania is committed to developing renewable energy, particularly solar power, to increase access to reliable electricity, stimulate economic activities and address the effects of climate change," Mr Nyanda said.
The government is already implementing projects intended to increase solar power's contribution to the national electricity mix.
One of the major initiatives is the 150-megawatt Kishapu solar power project in Shinyanga Region. Its first phase, with a capacity of 50 megawatts, has been completed, while the second phase of 100 megawatts is under implementation.
Mr Nyanda said about 100 megawatts of solar electricity were currently being supplied to the national grid. The government is targeting an additional 1,000 megawatts of solar generation capacity by 2035 through public and private sector investment.
However, attracting the capital needed to achieve these ambitions will require addressing the costs and risks investors face before construction begins.
To tackle this, the Ministry of Energy, working with Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), is identifying and setting aside suitable areas for solar power investments.
The government is also undertaking feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments to reduce preliminary investment costs and make projects more attractive to potential investors.
The approach is intended to ease the initial financial burden on developers, while providing investors with clearer information on the suitability and viability of proposed sites.
Beyond adding electricity to the national grid, Tanzania is promoting solar technology as an alternative for communities that remain beyond the reach of conventional electricity infrastructure.
Mr Nyanda said solar systems were particularly useful in extending electricity services to islands in the Great Lakes and Indian Ocean, where connecting communities to the national grid could be challenging.
The technology is also being promoted in productive sectors, including agriculture, irrigation, crop processing, fishing, livestock keeping and water supply.
Wider adoption of solar-powered equipment could help farmers improve irrigation, support businesses involved in processing agricultural produce and reduce the challenges associated with unreliable electricity supply.
Tanzania is also looking to strengthen local technical capacity through international cooperation.
Mr Nyanda cited the establishment of the Solar Technology Application Centre (STAR-C) at Arusha Technical College as one of the achievements of the country's partnership with the ISA.
The centre provides training in solar technology to local professionals, while other Tanzanians have benefited from specialised training programmes offered by international institutions.
He said Tanzania would continue working with ISA member countries, development partners and private investors to secure the financing, technology and expertise required to accelerate renewable energy projects.
The ninth ISA General Assembly has brought together representatives from more than 125 member countries and development partners to discuss ways of expanding solar energy investment and strengthening international cooperation.
Opening the meeting, India's Minister responsible for Renewable Energy and chairman of the ISA General Assembly, Mr Pralhad Joshi, called for greater cooperation to make solar energy affordable and accessible worldwide.
He also urged countries to increase investment in clean energy, particularly in developing economies, saying this was essential to addressing climate change and advancing sustainable development.
For Tanzania, the meeting provides an opportunity to translate its long-term electricity ambitions into investment partnerships, particularly as it seeks to diversify energy sources and meet growing demand from households, industries and businesses.
The challenge will be to turn the investment opportunities presented into bankable projects capable of delivering additional electricity at affordable costs while supporting the country's broader development ambitions.