By Business Insider Correspondent, Dodoma
Tanzania’s ambitious energy expansion agenda is set to attract fresh investment opportunities following high-level talks between the Ministry of Energy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Dodoma.
The meeting, led by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, and JICA experts, reviewed progress on major infrastructure projects and explored avenues for deeper collaboration in both electricity transmission and natural gas distribution.
Key among the projects is the Uganda–Tanzania Interconnection Project (UTIP), which will link Tanzania’s national grid to Uganda and pave the way for expanded regional power trade under the East African Power Pool. Analysts say this integration could open lucrative opportunities for private investors in electricity generation, given the increasing demand for cross-border energy supply.
The second flagship project, the Dodoma Ring Circuit, aims to stabilise power in the administrative capital, where rapid urban growth and industrial expansion are driving unprecedented electricity demand.
Reliable supply is expected to boost investor confidence, particularly in real estate, manufacturing, and service sectors now taking root in Dodoma.
Beyond electricity, the talks also focused on Tanzania’s vast natural gas potential.
Mramba pressed JICA to scale up technical assistance by training local experts in the design and operation of gas distribution networks.
He emphasised the importance of a pilot project to roll out natural gas in the Government City of Mtumba, positioning it as a showcase of the country’s clean energy future.
“This pilot will not only demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of domestic gas use but also serve as a platform for attracting private-sector players into gas distribution and downstream industries,” Mramba noted.
A gateway to energy-driven growth
Tanzania is home to an estimated 57 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and has already attracted significant foreign interest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) investments. The push to build a domestic distribution network is expected to create new opportunities for investors in pipeline infrastructure, gas-based manufacturing, and household energy solutions.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s growing role in regional power trade positions it as an energy hub in East Africa. By exporting surplus electricity and attracting industries dependent on reliable power, the country could unlock billions in new investment inflows over the coming decade.
JICA’s continued involvement signals confidence in Tanzania’s energy roadmap, particularly as the government prioritises infrastructure modernisation and sustainable energy access. For investors, the projects under discussion represent more than just public-sector infrastructure – they are entry points into Tanzania’s wider industrialisation and energy transformation drive.
Tanzania and JICA have a long history of cooperation in the energy sector.
The Uganda–Tanzania Interconnection Project (UTIP) is part of the East African Power Pool initiative, aimed at improving regional electricity trade and grid stability.
The Dodoma Ring Circuit, meanwhile, seeks to address increasing electricity demand in Dodoma, following its designation as the country’s administrative capital. The government has prioritised the development of domestic gas distribution systems to ensure energy security, promote industrialisation, and expand access to clean cooking energy.
