TZ sets energy benchmark in Africa- Mramba

CAPE TOWN: TANZANIA is emerging as a continental leader in the energy sector, with its remarkable achievements drawing attention from across Africa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, has said.

Speaking during the Africa Energy Forum held recently in Cape Town, Eng Mramba underscored Tanzania’s progress in expanding access to electricity and developing key infrastructure projects, calling on the private sector to step up investment in the country’s energy future.

“Tanzania’s energy sector is being closely watched by many African nations due to the significant strides we are making. Our achievements serve as a benchmark,” he said.

Among the milestones he cited were the electrification of 12,318 villages and the near-completion of the 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project both of which have attracted regional interest.

He revealed that representatives from Lesotho at the forum expressed a keen interest in collaborating with Tanzania to improve their own electricity access, a reflection of Tanzania’s growing influence in the sector.

“The energy sector is a key pillar of our national economy. Sustainable economic growth is only possible with a stable and reliable supply of power,” Eng Mramba noted.

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He stressed the critical role of the private sector in supporting Tanzania’s continued economic expansion through investment in power generation, transmission and distribution.

“Given our economic trajectory, we are scaling up efforts across the energy value chain. Private sector participation is essential,” he said.

Eng Mramba also invited investors to consider opportunities in electricity transmission, reaffirming the government’s commitment to regional power integration.

Tanzania’s national grid is currently interconnected with Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi and plans are underway to extend connections to Zambia and Uganda.

On the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum, Tanzanian officials met with numerous potential investors, many of whom expressed strong interest in entering the country’s growing energy market.