Tanzania has inaugurated the 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant in the Rufiji region, with the country’s Energy Minister confirming ongoing negotiations to export electricity to Zambia.
A Major Addition to Tanzania’s Grid
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially inaugurated the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, a 2,115-megawatt facility built with Egyptian involvement in energy, investment and infrastructure. The plant adds significant capacity to Tanzania’s national grid, supporting the country’s industrial, mining, agricultural and investment sectors. President Hassan emphasised the importance of protecting the plant’s infrastructure, water resources and surrounding environment to ensure its long-term sustainable operation.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the inauguration, describing the project as a model of Egyptian-Tanzanian cooperation and pointing to it as evidence of Egyptian companies’ capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects across Africa to international standards.
Regional Power Trade, Including Zambia
Tanzanian Energy Minister Deo Ndejembi said the country is expanding its high-voltage transmission backbone to connect new generation capacity with domestic demand centres and regional power markets. He confirmed Tanzania is currently negotiating electricity exports to Zambia, alongside separate power-exchange discussions with Kenya and other regional partners, as part of a broader push to position Tanzania as an energy hub for East and Central Africa.
Former African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina welcomed the milestone, urging Tanzania to leverage the new capacity for mineral beneficiation, agro-processing, industrial growth and job creation.
Sources: The Inspector Uganda — Julius Nyerere Dam: An Achievement That Refutes False Narratives, via the Afromedia Initiative
