By Mutayoba Arbogast
The Rural Energy Agency (REA) has launched a transformative electricity transmission project targeting 474 hamlets in Tanzania’s Kagera Region — a bold step toward expanding rural energy access and unlocking economic potential for thousands of residents.
The ambitious project, being implemented by CCC International Engineering Nigeria Ltd., forms part of Tanzania’s national agenda to achieve universal electrification by 2030.
Kagera Regional Commissioner Colonel Yahaya Ramadhani Kido received REA engineers and the contractor’s team earlier this week, calling for swift and high-quality execution to meet growing energy demands in rural communities.
He underscored the government’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to the people under the leadership of Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“Energy is the engine of development. We must ensure this project is completed on time and to the highest standards,” said Col. Kido, urging project managers to act decisively and resolve challenges promptly.
According to Engineer Ernest Makale, REA’s Lake Zone Project Manager, the initiative will involve the construction of 737.3 kilometers of medium-voltage lines and 76 kilometers of low-voltage lines, alongside the installation of 474 transformers. More than 66 billion Tanzanian shillings have been allocated for the project, which aims to connect 15,396 new customers across Kagera within 36 months.
The beneficiary districts include Ngara, Biharamulo, Muleba, Bukoba Rural, Missenyi, Karagwe, and Kyerwa — each selected based on infrastructure gaps and population demand.
In addition, REA is nearing completion of a related electrification initiative targeting 27 island villages in Lake Victoria. The project is expected to expand economic activity and improve living standards in remote island communities.
Funded by the Government of Tanzania in partnership with the World Bank, the initiative is designed not only to light homes but also to power opportunity — creating jobs for youth and women, stimulating small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthening education and healthcare services.
With more than 64,000 hamlets nationwide and 13,000 still awaiting connection, Tanzania’s rural electrification drive marks a crucial step toward achieving universal energy access by the end of the decade.
As Col. Kido emphasized:
“Access to energy means access to progress — for every household, business, and dream in Kagera.”
