Joseph Isangura
The Government of Tanzania is extending electricity to under-served regions, with a focus on fishing communities, small-scale mining, industrial zones, and social service centers.
Deputy Minister of Energy, Judith Kapinga, addressed Parliament today, affirming that over 300 locations have already been connected to electricity as part of the nationwide rural electrification initiative.
“This project has reached more than 300 strategic areas, including health centers and water wells, which are crucial for daily life in rural communities,” said Kapinga during a session in Dodoma, Tanzania’s administrative capital.
Kapinga was responding to a question from Charles Kaijage, Member of Parliament for Mwibara, who sought clarification on government efforts to bring power to coastal and lakeside fishing zones that support thousands of livelihoods.
She noted that connecting rural areas is not solely about lighting homes — it’s about unlocking economic potential in sectors like agriculture, fishing, and small-scale industry.
Addressing a similar inquiry from Nicholas Ngassa, MP for Igunga, Kapinga revealed that out of 337 hamlets, 95 have been electrified. Work is ongoing in 15 others through Rural Electrification Phase II A (HEP IIA), while tenders have been issued for 69 hamlets under Phase II B (HEP IIB).
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Kapinga further stated that the Rural Energy Agency (REA) will continue allocating funds to electrify the remaining 158 hamlets. She stressed the government’s commitment to bridging the rural-urban energy divide.
To make the program more accessible, Kapinga reminded citizens that the government has set a subsidized connection fee of only TSh 27,000 (approximately USD 10) for rural households — part of efforts to tackle energy poverty.
Additionally, a new initiative is expected to begin soon, focusing on connecting areas without access to high-voltage transmission lines, ensuring inclusivity even in geographically isolated communities.
This push aligns with the broader goals outlined in Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025, which recognizes electricity access as a key pillar for national transformation and sustainable development.
