The Minister of Energy in Tanzania, Doto Biteko, has announced a 19 percent increase in the budget of the Ministry of Energy for the year 2025/26 from Sh1.88 trillion to Sh2.25 trillion to enhance electricity access, promote clean cooking energy, and integrate into regional energy networks.
Out of the total budget, Sh2.17 trillion (96.5 percent) is earmarked for development projects, particularly for the ongoing Hamlet Electrification Project, HEP IIB, which will connect 9,009 hamlets with the construction of 27,000 km plus of distribution lines. The project, which is budgeted for around Sh1.39 trillion, shall be financed by Sh350 billion from domestic sources and Sh2.26 billion from Norway.
Biteko highlighted the burgeoning power generation capacity within Tanzania, stating that the national grid is set to expand by 86.6% to 4,031.71 MW by April 2025, with major contributions from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam. In addition, the completion of transmission lines connecting Kenya and Zambia through the Eastern and Southern African power pools will strengthen Tanzania’s presence in the regional energy market.
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He added that clean cooking energy promotion forms another focus area, stating that the plans will include distributing 370,000 improved cooking stoves, 40,000 electric stoves, and subsidized LPG cylinders. Additionally, World Bank funding amounting to Sh4.7 billion will support clean cooking technology in 400 public institutions.
These programmes is noted to correlate with Tanzania’s National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy 2024-2034, which targets an 80 percent clean energy uptake by citizens by 2034. Over 450,000 LPG cylinders are being distributed across the country in partnership with the private sector.
