Tanzania proposes $967 million for energy sector expansion in 2026/2027
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Tanzania's Energy Minister, Deograius Ndejembi, announced a proposed budget of $967.3 million for the energy sector in the 2026/2027 financial year, with $943.2 million allocated for development projects and $24.1 million for recurrent expenditure. The funding, sourced from both domestic $613.8 million and external $329.4 million sources, aims to expand energy infrastructure, support industrial growth, and improve service delivery. The minister reported an increase in installed electricity generation capacity to 4,522.54 megawatts in March 2026, up from 4,031.71 megawatts a year prior, with peak demand reaching 2,199.06 megawatts. Transmission lines expanded to 8,500.38 kilometers and distribution lines to 240,229.56 kilometers. Electricity access climbed to 85.5%, with 52.1% of Tanzanians connected to power. The government targets 8.3 million new customer connections by 2030, aiming for 75% connectivity. Ongoing projects include the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project and other solar and hydro schemes. Transmission projects like the 400kV Chalinze–Dodoma line are also underway. Rural electrification efforts aim to connect all 64,359 hamlets on the mainland by 2030. The country is also expanding its compressed natural gas infrastructure, increasing CNG stations from nine to 18, and developing its gas sector, with output from Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay reaching 41,530.94 million cubic feet. Additionally, Tanzania has secured petroleum supplies and is expanding strategic s
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC has announced it is welcoming members from other political parties across the nation, expressing confidence in winning Nigeria's 2027 general elections. Speaking in Owerri, Imo State, the party's National Vice Chairman, South East, Chief Teddy Obey, characterized the NDC as a "clean, uncompromised platform" for Nigerians seeking an alternative to "recycled promises." Obey highlighted the NDC's status as Nigeria's newest political party and its lack of ongoing litigation as key advantages. He noted that other parties are involved in legal disputes, while the NDC is focused on building its structure. Obey was in Imo State to address grievances and prevent any suspicion of compromise, aiming to demonstrate the party's distinct approach. He also announced interim appointments for the party in Imo State, including Reginald Uwakwe as Interim State Chairman and Fabian Onyekwulisi as Chairman of both the Contact and Mobilisation Committee and the Candidate Selection Processes Committee.
Must ReadThe US government has reclassified cannabis, making it easier for Americans to use the drug for medical reasons and enabling more research into its safety and efficacy. Marijuana has been reclassified as having moderate to low addiction potential, a move that acting attorney general Todd Blanche stated would expand patients' access to treatments and empower doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions. Previously, cannabis was classified as "Schedule I," a category for drugs with "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse," which includes substances like heroin and methamphetamine, according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency. It has now been moved to the third rung of the five-level Drug Schedule. The Department of Justice indicated that Thursday's action followed President Donald Trump’s executive order in December concerning increased medical marijuana research.
The City Boy Movement in Abia State, coordinated by Don Igbokwe, has been successfully inaugurated across all wards, local government areas, and three zones in the state. The movement, described as the most organized pro-Tinubu group under the leadership of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, aims to influence voters to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term. In a recent interview, Igbokwe stated that the chapter has established a strong and fully functional grassroots network following the inauguration of LGA coordinators, executives, and polling unit teams. He emphasized that the movement is non-violent and uses moral persuasion to encourage Abia youths to vote for the President, enabling him to complete his initiatives in the state and the South East. Igbokwe cited the establishment of the South East Development Commission, EEDC, as one of the President's achievements. He urged Abians to support the movement, asserting that their backing would position them at the center of Tinubu's government, leading to more development initiatives and benefits for the state's youth.
Must ReadPresident Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate's approval for an external loan of $516,333,070 from Deutsche Bank to fund sections of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway. This 1,000-kilometer highway is a key infrastructure project under his administration, designed to connect Nigeria's North-West and South-West corridors. The project will traverse Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, stretching from Illela to Badagry. It aims to enhance connectivity, economic integration, improve road safety, reduce logistics costs and travel time, facilitate trade, strengthen food security, and promote national integration by linking production zones to markets and ports. The financing structure includes a syndicated loan backed by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, with the Federal Government providing ₦265.5 billion for land acquisition, compensation, and related infrastructure. The loan has a nine-year term, including a grace period of up to three years, and an interest rate benchmarked at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange SOFR plus 5.3 percent per annum. The Federal Executive Council has already approved the financing arrangement. Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for expeditious review, highlighting the project's economic significance and potential to reduce travel time between Sokoto and Lagos from approximately 13 hours to six h