A THREE-DAY state visit of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to Mozambique has unveiled the ongoing plans by the two governments to establish a combined–cycle 400-kilowatt electrical connection.
The project that has been allocated with a budget of 2 million US dollars (equivalent to 4.6bn/-), will play a vital role in stimulating economic activities and development of people of both countries.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDM–Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) Marcelino Gildo Alberto, noting that the project will connect the southern part of Tanzania to Palma, in Mozambique.
He was speaking when President Samia toured the Maputo Thermoelectric Power Plant, in the capital of Mozambique.
“We have been talking with Tanzania in order to establish a transmission line between the two countries, taking into account the natural resources we have. The idea is for an interconnection between the southern part of Tanzania and Palma, in Mozambique,” he said.
He further noted that there is already an agreement between the two countries, and all that is lacking is an understanding on the part of the state-owned companies responsible for implementing the project.
“We want to establish a 400-kilowatt line. There is already a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments and, at the moment, we are formulating a memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ electricity companies, EDM and TANESCO,” he explained.
“With the project, Tanzania will be able to export energy here, as we can to their country. Tanzania is linked to other countries such as Uganda and Kenya, and we will be able to connect with them through an energy supply corridor,” he added.
Mozambique supplies energy to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho and eSwatini and stands out in energy sales in the competitive SAPP market (the main sales market in the region).
The country also has a long-term agreement to export energy to South Africa through Cahora Bassa and ESKOM.
Earlier on the day, President Samia and her host, Filipe Nyusi held an official talk where they agreed to further cement bilateral ties on multiple sectors.
The two leaders emphasised on the need for a lot of cooperation in the exploitation of hydrocarbons, taking into account the discovery, in recent years, in both countries, of important reserves of natural gas.
Speaking yesterday during her tour to the Maputo city, President Samia commended the transformation that has been attained especially on delivery of social service as a result of creating a good environment for business.
“We have seen how the city has planned its expansion and construction development, which has spearheaded its economic development,” she said.
Some of the transformation recovered in Maputo city includes management of waste water, sanitation, urbanisation as well as social service delivery in education and health sectors.
She also asked Tanzanians living in Mozambique to continue making better use of the opportunities in doing more business for the betterment of the two countries.
President Samia explained further that the two governments will continue creating conducive environments for business and investment for the best interests of people of both parties.
“During my discussion with Nyusi we urged people from the two countries to make better use of our bilateral relation to explore various opportunities for betterment of our two countries.
She reiterated the commitment of Tanzania to continue working with the government of Mozambique for realisation of the common goal on social economic milestones.
Earlier yesterday, the Head of State met with the President of Parliament of Mozambique Ms Esperanca Bias.
President Samia said they discussed how the Tanzania and Mozambique parliaments can work together for the facilitation of development in both countries.
“We had a fruitful discussion, as it’s known that only parliaments can make this cooperation work as they are the ones who will be ratifying the contracts or memorandum of understanding or approving the budget for that cooperation to work,” she said.
