*Tanzania Hosts Africa Heads of State Energy Summit, Aims to Power 300 Million Africans by 2030*
_By Kelvin N. Kanje, The Information Services Department (MAELEZO), Tanzania_
_Dar es Salaam, 27th January 2025_
The United Republic of Tanzania has called for a united continental effort to bridge Africa’s energy gap, with an ambitious target of providing electricity access to 300 million people across the continent within the next five years. The announcement was made by Hon. Dr. Dotro Mashaka Biteko, Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, during his opening address at the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam.
The two-day summit, co-organized by the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), has brought together energy ministers, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders to chart a sustainable energy future for Africa.
Dr. Biteko highlighted the progress made by African nations since the 1960s, noting that Tanzania’s electricity generation capacity has grown from a mere 21 megawatts (MW) at independence to 3,160 MW today. However, he emphasized that 571 million Africans still lack access to electricity, underscoring the urgency of the summit’s mission.
“This Summit is a key milestone in our quest to achieve universal access to electricity,” Dr. Biteko stated. “Through the Mission 300 initiative, we aim to mobilize resources, expertise, and partnerships to accelerate electrification efforts across the continent.”
The initiative will be supported by National Energy Compacts developed by 14 pilot countries, which will serve as a framework for coordinated action to unlock investments from governments, development partners, philanthropies, and the private sector. These compacts will focus on increasing electricity connectivity, expanding access to clean cooking solutions, and boosting renewable energy adoption.
Tanzania, which has already electrified all 12,318 villages in the country, is set to increase its installed capacity to 4,000 MW by the end of 2025, with a significant portion derived from renewable sources. The country has also established cross-border power connections with Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, with plans to link with Zambia underway.
Dr. Biteko also highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to clean cooking solutions, a priority championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He called for increased partnerships and pledges to advance access to clean cooking fuels, which remain a critical yet often overlooked aspect of energy access.
The summit aims to secure high-level political commitment, foster partnerships to unlock private sector investments, and establish a monitoring framework to track progress. A Compact Monitoring Index will be introduced to ensure accountability and transparency in meeting the targets set during the summit.
“Electricity in Africa is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity and an enabler of development,” Dr. Biteko declared. “Let us use this Summit to conclude compacts that match our energy ambitions and forge the partnerships necessary to realize them.”
The Africa Heads of State Energy Summit marks a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey toward energy sustainability, with Tanzania positioning itself as a regional leader in the push for universal energy access. As delegates deliberate over the next two days, the world will be watching to see how Africa’s energy future takes shape.
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