WASHINGTON: Tanzania has unveiled energy investment opportunities worth $12.9 billion as it seeks to expand power supply, develop natural gas resources and accelerate a shift to cleaner energy, officials said on Friday.
Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba presented the pipeline at the Powering Africa Summit in Washington, outlining projects across power generation, transmission, distribution and clean cooking aimed at supporting economic growth and improving energy access.
The government plans to implement 13 power generation projects over the next five years, requiring about $2.77 billion in investment and expected to add 1,421 megawatts to the national grid, Makamba said.
In the transmission segment, Tanzania is preparing 23 projects valued at $1.21 billion, including the construction of around 1,350 kilometres of transmission lines and associated substations to strengthen grid reliability.
Makamba said the country is also seeking partners to develop its natural gas sector, which holds more than 57 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves. Investment opportunities span exploration, processing and the use of gas for electricity generation and industrial development.
The government is additionally promoting clean cooking solutions, targeting 75% adoption by 2030 through the rollout of improved stoves, liquefied petroleum gas and other alternatives to reduce reliance on biomass.
Officials say reforms to improve the business environment and attract private capital are ongoing, as Tanzania looks to position energy as a key driver of industrialisation.
Makamba was joined at the summit by Tanzania’s ambassador to the United States, Else Sia Kanza, and representatives from state energy institutions.
Separately, the state-run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is advancing projects to sustain and expand domestic gas output. The company is overseeing a 235 billion shilling ($90 million) drilling programme at the Mnazi Bay gas fields in southern Tanzania.
TPDC Director General Mussa Makame said the project includes three wells, two aimed at boosting existing production and one expected to open a new gas field, supporting long-term supply for both domestic and industrial use.