Mbeya Rural Electrification Project Nears Completion, Set to Connect 105 Communities

A major rural electrification drive in Mbeya Region is nearing completion, with 93 per cent of works delivered and more than 3,400 residents poised to gain access to electricity for the first time.

The project, which will connect 105 hamlets across the region, represents a significant milestone in Tanzania’s push to expand energy access in rural communities and reduce the long-standing gap between urban and underserved areas.

Officials from the Rural Energy Agency (REA), led by board representative Florian Haule, expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation during a recent inspection tour, noting that the work is progressing efficiently and remains on track for early completion.

Valued at 10.9 billion Tanzanian shillings, the project is being executed by the Electrical Transmission and Distribution Construction and Maintenance Company (ETDCO), which has been credited with maintaining steady progress and high construction standards.

ETDCO’s Director of Technical Services, Abdallah Mitenda, said the company is well positioned to deliver the project by the end of May 2026, potentially ahead of the initial two-year timeline agreed under the contract.

Project Manager Ajuaye Jeggo confirmed that about 3,465 customers are expected to be connected once the infrastructure is fully operational. He urged residents in beneficiary communities to prepare their homes early to facilitate immediate connection when power supply is switched on, noting that connection costs have been set at 27,000 Tanzanian shillings.

The scope of the project includes the construction of 1.5 kilometres of medium-voltage power lines, the installation of approximately 210 kilometres of low-voltage distribution networks, and the deployment of 105 transformers. Together, these components form a comprehensive system designed to deliver stable and reliable electricity to remote settlements.

Residents in the affected hamlets have welcomed the development, describing it as a long-awaited intervention that will transform daily life and open up new economic opportunities. Many communities in the region have historically relied on alternative energy sources such as kerosene, firewood and small generators, which are often costly, inefficient and environmentally unsustainable.

Access to grid electricity is expected to support small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in agro-processing, retail and local manufacturing, where reliable power is essential for growth. It is also anticipated to improve education outcomes by enabling better lighting for evening study and powering digital learning tools in schools.

Healthcare delivery is another area set to benefit, as clinics and health centres will be able to operate equipment more effectively, store vaccines under proper conditions and extend service hours.

Energy experts say projects of this nature are central to Tanzania’s broader development strategy, as rural electrification plays a critical role in reducing poverty and improving living standards. Expanding access to electricity is also seen as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, helping to integrate rural populations into the national economy.

The REA has been at the forefront of these efforts, coordinating investments and partnerships aimed at scaling up electrification across the country. Officials note that sustained funding and effective project execution will be essential to maintaining momentum and achieving national access targets.

The Mbeya project is expected to stimulate longer-term development by attracting investment into rural areas, encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting job creation. Improved energy access is also likely to enhance social services and overall quality of life for residents.

As the project approaches completion, attention is turning to ensuring that the infrastructure is maintained and that newly connected communities are supported in maximising the benefits of electricity access.

The near-completion milestone points to steady progress in Tanzania’s rural electrification agenda and highlights the transformative potential of energy infrastructure to drive development at the grassroots level.