EWURA’s oversight enhances energy sector

DODOMA: IN the dusty warmth of a Dodoma morning on April 9th, 2025, a sense of renewal lingered in the air as dignitaries, regulators and energy sector stakeholders gathered for the launch of Tanzania’s Energy Sector Report.

With the faint hum of anticipation echoing through the conference hall, Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, took the podium with a tone of conviction and optimism.

His words, heavy with promise and pride, painted a picture of a nation positioning energy not just as a resource, but as a pillar of progress.

“I am pleased to officiate this launch, marking the second occasion where the energy reports for electricity, petroleum and natural gas are being unveiled together. This is not just a symbolic gesture, but a demonstration of how integrated and strategic our approach to energy governance has become,” Dr. Biteko declared, his voice resonant with clarity.

The synchronization of these reports by EWURA, the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority, highlighted the government’s commitment to a unified, data-driven and transparent energy agenda.

Since President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed leadership, the energy sector has taken center stage in Tanzania’s development narrative.

“Under her leadership,” Biteko noted, “we have seen strategic mega-projects completed, reliable electricity access improving dramatically, and a sharp increase in the use of natural gas, especially in vehicles.”

The government’s emphasis on clean and inclusive energy has shifted from ambition to action. From high-level policy to grassroots implementation, a transformation is underway.

One of the clearest examples of this is the national energy compact praised at the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit earlier in the year. The compact, described by summit evaluators as “the most well-prepared” among all submissions, lays out a 12.9 billion US dollars’ investment plan, of which 4.39 billion US dollars is expected to come from private sector partnerships.

This financial blueprint aims to scale electricity access in both urban and rural areas, modernize petroleum infrastructure and drive a robust shift toward clean cooking solutions.

But numbers are only the skeleton of the story; the pulse lies in the people. “Energy is life,” Biteko affirmed. “Without adequate and reliable energy, economic growth stalls, healthcare weakens and education falters.” His words echoed a sentiment that has driven Tanzania to not only build more, but to build smarter.

At the heart of these reforms lies a regulatory framework evolving with the times. EWURA has intensified compliance monitoring and licensing, ensuring every new retail fuel station or gas outlet contributes to national equity and safety.

The Petroleum Sector Performance Report for FY 2023/24 lays out the technical scaffolding of this ambition. According to the report, petroleum imports through the Bulk Procurement System grew by over 10.9 percent locally and 13.1 percent for transit purposes.

Jet A-1 imports alone rose by 13.9 percent, a nod to a recovering aviation industry. Meanwhile, domestic lubricant production increased to cover 83 percent of market demand, a sign of industrial maturity.

Perhaps most impressive is the 37.7 percent rise in LPG imports, driven by the Ministry of Energy’s aggressive clean cooking agenda. Biteko, proud of this surge, noted: “The President herself has become a champion of clean cooking energy, not just for Tanzania, but across Africa.”

This leadership has materialized through policies that lower licensing barriers for LPG distribution, encouraging more companies to enter the market and expand access.

But even success carries shadows. The Minister did not shy away from the challenges. “We are aware of the hurdles,” he said, citing climate change, aged infrastructure and limited financing among others.

The Petroleum Report confirmed this reality, pointing out that despite improved logistics, Tanzania still lacks a Single Receiving Terminal for white petroleum products, a gap that inflates demurrage costs and exposes the sector to volatility.

Yet, there is resilience built into the strategy. For instance, the TAZAMA pipeline, jointly owned with Zambia, continues to be a linchpin in regional diesel distribution. Stretching over 1,700 kilometers, the pipeline is now the subject of a planned expansion to increase its capacity from 231,000 to 380,000 cubic metres. As Dr. Biteko puts it, “This is more than infrastructure, this is our artery for regional energy security.”

EWURA’s data also shows that the number of petroleum retail outlets rose to 2,597 by June 2024, including a 32.96 percent increase in rural areas. This surge mirrors growing demand tied to economic activities such as mining, agriculture and road transport.

“The growth in rural energy access is a signal that we’re not just developing the grid, we’re decentralizing prosperity,” Biteko stated, drawing warm applause.

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In this coordinated expansion lies a vision that is both pragmatic and hopeful. While regional ports like Mtwara and Tanga have traditionally been secondary to Dar es Salaam, recent harmonization of fuel prices across ports has begun to ease supply bottlenecks and incentivize broader distribution. In essence, Tanzania is not just investing in physical infrastructure, but also in the economic logic that supports it.

As the session drew to a close, Dr. Biteko offered a final reflection: “Let us read these reports, not as bureaucratic paperwork, but as blueprints of our shared future. In partnership with the private sector and guided by clear policy, we will make Tanzania a beacon of sustainable energy for Africa.”

In the quiet that followed, one thing was clear, this was more than a launch. It was a reaffirmation that energy, managed wisely and inclusively, could illuminate not only homes and industries, but also the hopes of a nation.