DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — In rural Tanzania, nights are no longer dark. Grain mills operate after sunset, local businesses stay open later, and health clinics safely store vaccines — all thanks to expanded access to electricity.
Across the country, homes, schools, and enterprises are being transformed, marking a steady but profound shift in Tanzania’s development story.
For Tanzania, electricity is more than infrastructure. It is a strategic tool for building an inclusive economy, reducing poverty, and empowering households historically left behind. This national push has now positioned the country at the heart of Africa’s most ambitious energy agenda.
Under National Development Vision 2050, universal access to affordable, reliable electricity is a cornerstone of long-term economic transformation. The government’s objective is clear: without power reaching every household, rural and urban alike, aspirations to become an upper-middle-income country by mid-century will remain out of reach.
According to TANESCO and the Rural Energy Agency (REA), all 12,318 villages in Tanzania are now connected to electricity. Household connections surged from 39.9% in 2020 to 78% by 2024/25. Of 64,359 sub-villages, 33,657 are electrified, leaving 31,532 still to be reached — a challenge now clearly mapped for targeted intervention.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan frames electricity as a social and economic equaliser.
“Access to affordable and reliable electricity is not a luxury,” she said at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam. “It is the foundation for transforming lives, empowering communities, and building resilient economies.”
The government has aligned electrification with broader reforms: expanding generation capacity, strengthening transmission networks, and accelerating off-grid and mini-grid solutions for remote areas. Energy expansion is also directly linked to essential services, powering schools, clinics, water systems, and digital connectivity.
Electrification has revolutionised rural economies. Small-scale industries, from grain milling and carpentry to welding and cold storage, now generate jobs, particularly for youth and women. Small and medium-sized enterprises operate more efficiently, digital services expand, and online markets flourish.
Health facilities can refrigerate vaccines, conduct nighttime deliveries, and provide emergency care. Schools can use ICT tools, run evening classes, and retain teachers in remote regions. Water systems increasingly rely on electric pumps, easing the burden on women and girls.
Electricity is no longer a convenience; it is a matter of social justice, enabling communities to thrive.
Tanzania championing Africa’s Mission 300
Tanzania’s domestic gains have regional significance. Across sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 600 million people still lack electricity, and household connection rates often remain below 50%. At 78% electrification, Tanzania stands well above the regional average.
The country’s progress was highlighted at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, convened by the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank Group, and partners. Heads of state, development financiers, and investors committed to connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, culminating in the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration.
AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina described electricity as “the backbone of Africa’s industrialisation and economic competitiveness,” emphasizing that SMEs — the continent’s main employers — cannot grow without reliable power. Tanzania’s experience demonstrated that political commitment, coordination, and targeted financing can deliver results at scale.
Beyond grid connections, Mission 300 highlighted clean cooking, addressing health risks from indoor air pollution caused by wood and charcoal. Tanzania’s Clean Cooking Strategy (2024–2034) seeks to reduce biomass reliance through LPG, electricity, and improved technologies.
“Why should anyone die simply for trying to cook a meal?” Adesina asked, underscoring the human stakes. President Samia positions clean cooking as both a health and environmental priority, supporting climate resilience and forest conservation.
Tanzania looks to 2050: Africa’s next story for global investors
Delivering Mission 300 requires unprecedented investment — an estimated $90 billion over five years for generation, transmission, and distribution across Africa. International partners have stepped up: the Islamic Development Bank and Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank pledged billions, while France’s AFD committed €1 billion. The AfDB and World Bank are blending public and private finance to de-risk investments and accelerate delivery.
For Tanzania, these partnerships complement domestic reforms — improving utility performance, strengthening regulation, and attracting independent power producers.
From villages to global impact
In Tanzania, electrification is transforming lives in tangible ways. Beyond national borders, the country’s experience demonstrates how political will, investment, and strategic planning can shape Africa’s energy future. The remaining 31,532 sub-villages still require connection, but the path is clear.
“This is not only about power lines and substations. It is about the future we want for our people,” President Samia said.
From Tanzanian homes to continental energy goals, the electrification drive is lighting the way toward inclusive growth and a brighter tomorrow.
