MWE Correspondent
The Rural Energy Agency (REA) has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing electricity distribution projects in all villages and hamlets across Tanzania by 2030, a move expected to accelerate social and economic development in rural communities.
REA Director General Eng. Hassan Saidy made the statement in Dodoma while addressing a working session for REA staff focused on the implementation of the agency’s responsibilities, progress of ongoing projects and strengthening project management to ensure planned targets are achieved on time.
Eng. Saidy said the government’s ambition to expand rural electricity access is not only about connecting communities to the national power grid but also about creating opportunities for citizens to improve their livelihoods through productive use of electricity.
“We carry the hopes of the people,” Saidy told REA staff, stressing that the successful implementation of rural electrification projects has a direct impact on the lives, economic activities and development of communities.
He urged project managers and other officials responsible for implementation to carry out their duties with professionalism, accountability and integrity while maintaining close supervision of projects under their areas of responsibility.
Also Read: EAC Moves to Remove Trade Barriers Across Region
Saidy also directed project managers to identify challenges that could delay implementation and ensure they are addressed promptly, warning that delays in completing projects ultimately postpone the benefits expected by communities.
He emphasized that effective coordination, continuous monitoring and individual accountability among REA staff remain critical to ensuring projects are delivered according to the required standards and within the planned timelines.
The agency’s drive to expand electricity access comes as rural communities increasingly depend on reliable energy to support economic activities, including small businesses, agriculture, processing, education and other services.
REA said the continued implementation of rural electrification projects is part of broader government efforts to expand access to energy while encouraging communities to use electricity productively to generate income and strengthen local economies.
The agency is therefore expected to maintain close oversight of ongoing projects as it works toward the 2030 target, with improved project supervision and timely resolution of implementation challenges seen as key to ensuring more rural households and businesses benefit from electricity.
The expansion of electricity infrastructure across rural areas is also expected to create an enabling environment for investment and entrepreneurship, helping transform electricity access into a driver of inclusive economic growth and improved living standards.
