REA affirms commitment to expand rural electrifications

DODOMA: THE Rural Energy Agency (REA) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every Tanzanian household gains access to electricity and clean cooking energy, as the government intensifies efforts to expand rural electrification and promote sustainable energy use.

Speaking during the ongoing Public Service Week exhibitions in Dodoma, REA’s Director of Administration, Mr Renatus Msangira, said the sixth-phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is determined to achieve universal energy access and reduce dependence on unsustainable sources such as firewood and charcoal.

“REA has already electrified all villages in the country. The current focus is on connecting sub-villages and households to ensure no one is left behind in accessing this vital service,” Mr Msangira said.

He noted that the agency’s mandate is not only to extend the electricity grid to rural areas but also to spearhead efforts to deliver clean cooking energy to communities.

“President Samia’s vision is that every citizen should use clean cooking energy. REA has been tasked with implementing this, and we are making significant progress,” he added.

Mr Msangira said as part of this initiative, REA has been distributing energy-efficient gas cookers that consume as little as one unit per hour, in an effort to curb over-reliance on biomass fuels.

“Recently, REA launched a clean energy programme targeting public institutions, beginning with correctional facilities. We are supplying gas-based cooking systems and are working in collaboration with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI) to extend the initiative to schools, health centres, and other social institutions,” he said.

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He emphasised that institutions with more than 100 people will be prioritised under the clean cooking energy programme, as the agency scales up efforts to deliver modern energy solutions across the country.

“We thank President Samia, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, and all development partners for their support, which enables REA to implement this important agenda.