Tanzania-China Energy Ministers Hold Meeting In Beijing To Strengthen Bilateral Ties

By Prosper Makene

Tanzania energy minister January Makamba and his counterpart Dr Jianhua Zhang of China have held an official meeting in Beijing so as to improve cooperation in the areas related to the energy industry.

Makamba received the invitation from Dr Zhang, China’s National Energy Administration Minister.

While in China, the Tanzanian minister will also pay a visit to Dongfan Global, one of the largest manufacturing firms in power generation equipment. Tanzania is now implementing the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Dam project which needs master-class electrical equipment.

Minister Makamba told the CGTN, a television station in Beijing that Tanzania and China are implementing renewable energy projects under the Belt and Road Energy Partnership.

“China has shown commitment to providing training opportunities for Tanzanian energy professionals and equipping them with the necessary skills in renewable energy technology innovation and production,” he said.

He added:  “Apart from that, China is also interesting to cooperate with Tanzania in exploring and developing natural gas energy projects, further enhancing the countries’ energy collaboration.”

However, during the discussions that were also attended by Mr Song Lei, Chairman of China Africa Development Fund (CADFUND), China shows interests interest, through the CADFUND, in investing in Tanzania’s energy sector in partnership with both Chinese and Tanzanian companies.