The Tanzanian government has justified its decision to import electricity from Ethiopia through Kenya, highlighting its potential to enhance energy efficiency and address chronic power shortages in the Northern Zone. These outages have led to annual economic losses exceeding Sh32 billion.

Speaking in Kilimanjaro at the inauguration of a water project, President Samia Suluhu Hassan acknowledged public concerns but reassured citizens that the decision was carefully evaluated. She explained that transmitting electricity from the South-Eastern region to the Northern Zone has resulted in substantial energy losses, making the local supply unreliable. Importing power from Ethiopia, she emphasized, offers a more stable and cost-effective alternative.

Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa later reinforced this stance, noting that Tanzania’s existing transmission system struggles with long-distance energy losses, contributing to frequent outages. He added that sourcing electricity from Ethiopia via Kenya will help mitigate these challenges and strengthen grid reliability.

The government also pointed out that importing electricity is not a new approach, as Tanzania has previously sourced power from neighboring Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya to supply its border regions. Additionally, the country is positioning itself to participate more actively in regional power trade, including future electricity exports. This aligns with commitments made during the recent Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, where East African leaders pledged to enhance cross-border energy cooperation.

Source: MOPAWA



In a major boost to Ethiopia’s transportation and logistics sector, the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) has successfully installed a dedicated power line for the Ethio-Djibouti Railways’ rolling stock, mechanical workshop, and freight yard. This critical infrastructure upgrade enhances the railway’s efficiency, ensuring smooth operations for the country’s most vital trade corridor.

The Ethio-Djibouti Railway handles the majority of Ethiopia’s imports and exports, making uninterrupted power supply essential for 24/7 logistics. The new connection reduces delays, improves productivity, and strengthens Ethiopia’s supply chain. Businesses relying on the railway for trade can now expect greater service reliability, contributing to economic growth.

Takele Uma, CEO of Ethio-Djibouti Railways, praised EEU CEO Engineer Getu Geremew and their teams for swiftly executing the project. This collaboration between Ethiopia’s power and transport sectors highlights effective coordination in infrastructure development.




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