MWE Correspondent
Former African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr Akinwumi Adesina has praised Tanzania for translating ambitious development goals into tangible results, describing the country as an example of practical development progress in Africa.
Adesina made the remarks on Saturday, August 22, 2026, during the official launch of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) in Rufiji, Pwani Region.
He said he was proud to have worked closely with Tanzania during his 10-year tenure as President of the AfDB, highlighting the country’s efforts to turn development plans into major infrastructure and economic projects.
According to Adesina, the development initiatives undertaken under President Samia Suluhu Hassan demonstrate a deliberate effort to expand infrastructure, create economic opportunities and accelerate industrial growth.
He said Tanzania’s progress should not be viewed solely through the scale of individual infrastructure projects, but also through their wider economic and social impact.
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Adesina said the significance of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project goes beyond its electricity generation capacity, arguing that the project could become a catalyst for industrialisation, employment creation, education and growth across other sectors of the economy.
“The success of the Julius Nyerere project should not be measured only in megawatts,” Adesina said, stressing the wider transformative potential of reliable and affordable electricity for Tanzania’s economic development.
He further urged Tanzania to use the project as a foundation for implementing the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, saying the country now has an opportunity to leverage its expanding energy capacity to drive a new phase of economic transformation.
Adesina said the project should help unlock further investment and productivity while supporting industries and other economic activities that depend on dependable electricity.
He described the JNHPP as an important component of Tanzania’s long-term development ambitions, particularly as the country seeks to strengthen its industrial base and improve living standards.
The former AfDB president’s remarks came as Tanzania officially commissioned the 2,115-megawatt JNHPP, one of the country’s largest strategic infrastructure investments.
The project is expected to significantly increase Tanzania’s electricity generation capacity while strengthening energy security and providing a stronger platform for economic growth.
Adesina said Tanzania’s experience demonstrates that setting ambitious development targets is most meaningful when governments have the determination and capacity to translate those targets into concrete projects that deliver measurable benefits to citizens.
