Tanzania has taken a major step toward sustainable energy access with the launch of a solar electrification project targeting 120 islands across eight regions. The initiative, inaugurated on February 21, 2026, by Deputy Energy Minister Salome Makamba on Lake Victoria's Bezi Island, aims to install 20,000 solar home systems by 2028 at a cost of 8 billion Tanzanian shillings ($3.2 million).
The Rural Energy Agency (REA), overseeing implementation, will prioritize regions bordering Lake Victoria, Lake Rukwa, and the Indian Ocean. Subsidies covering 75% of connection costs will ensure affordability for remote communities, while boosting economic activities like fish processing, aquaculture, and beach tourism.
"This project is a cornerstone of our blue economy strategy," Makamba stated during the launch, emphasizing how reliable electricity will enable value-added fisheries and seaweed production. REA Acting Director General Jones Olotu confirmed the two-year timeline, with installations already underway in Mwanza region.
