Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Dotto Biteko, has praised the substantial contributions made by the private sector and development partners in advancing Tanzania's energy sector. Highlighting a significant boost, Dr. Biteko announced that the World Bank has committed 300 million USD to extend electricity access to all villages across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 2022/23 performance reports for the energy sector, Dr. Biteko acknowledged the exemplary performance of the private sector in implementing various projects. He noted that the private sector has contributed 222 MW to the total 1,911 MW capacity, demonstrating its critical role in supplementing government efforts, particularly in the electricity, fuel, and gas sub-sectors.
"The private sector has always stood alongside the government, filling gaps and helping achieve targets, especially in crucial areas such as electricity, fuel, and gas," Dr. Biteko stated. He urged private entities to continue exploring emerging opportunities within the energy sector.
Dr. Biteko directed all institutions and departments under the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of State, President’s Office, Planning and Investment to review the 2022/2023 performance reports for the electricity, gas, and petroleum sub-sectors. He called for a comprehensive analysis of challenges and the formulation of solutions within the next three months.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, highlighted the World Bank Group’s decision to allocate 300 million USD to support the government's initiative to electrify rural areas. This decision followed an assessment by the Bretton Woods Institution, which recognized Tanzania as a leading country in Africa for providing electricity to its citizens.
“The World Bank has provided 300 million USD to bolster the government's efforts in rural electrification, recognizing the sector's efficiency and progress,” said Eng. Mramba. He mentioned that the World Bank Country Director personally traveled from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma to commend Dr. Biteko and the sixth phase government led by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for their achievements.
In April 2024, the World Bank Group and African Development Bank Group announced a joint initiative to provide electricity access to at least 300 million people in Africa by 2030. This partnership aims to connect 250 million people through distributed renewable energy systems or the distribution grid, with the African Development Bank Group targeting an additional 50 million people.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga emphasized the crucial role of electricity access in development efforts. “Electricity access is the bedrock of all development. It is a critical ingredient for economic growth and essential for job creation at scale. Our aspiration will only be realized through partnership and ambition. We need policy action from governments, financing from multilateral development banks, and private sector investment to achieve this goal,” said Banga.
Access to electricity remains a fundamental human right and is vital for healthcare, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, and job creation. Currently, 600 million Africans lack electricity, presenting significant challenges to development across the continent.