European Union marks 50 years in Tanzania, commits Sh3 trillion to Tanzania’s energy sector
What you need to know:
- This milestone event highlighted the enduring and strategic partnership between the EU and Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam. The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tanzania and the Embassies of EU Member States on May 22, marked Europe Day 2025, celebrating 50 years of EU-Tanzania cooperation and 25 years of EU-African Union relations.
This milestone event highlighted the enduring and strategic partnership between the EU and Tanzania.
This year’s celebration centered on Renewable Energy and the EU’s support in driving Tanzania’s sustainable development, economic growth, and climate resilience through green energy initiatives.
The event brought together key dignitaries, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, ambassadors of EU Member States, senior government officials, civil society representatives, youth, and members of the diplomatic community.
Energy was the focal point of the celebration, with Team Europe reaffirming its commitment of over Sh3 trillion to Tanzania’s energy sector under the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative.
In her address, EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Christine Grau, emphasized the evolving strength of the EU-Tanzania relationship: “Our partnership is evolving into a mature and strategic collaboration based on mutual interests and shared prosperity. We are not just donors we are partners, and we are here to stay. Through the Global Gateway Strategy, we are supporting Tanzania’s ambitions in renewable energy, digitalisation, value addition, and sustainable infrastructure, ”she said.
Minister Kombo expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support, particularly in the energy sector, and praised its alignment with Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
Under the Global Gateway strategy, Team Europe has pledged EUR 990 million (over Sh3 trillion) to advance Tanzania’s energy transition. This includes a direct EU contribution of EUR 191.9 million (Sh565 billion) aimed at expanding access to clean energy and supporting cross-border integration through the strategy’s climate and energy pillar.
Key investments under this commitment include: Kakono Hydropower Plant – EUR 299 million (Sh880 billion), with an EU contribution of EUR 36 million (Sh 106 billion)
Zambia and Uganda interconnector projects – Combined value of EUR 604.4 million (Sh1.8 trillion)
The EU is also advancing affordable clean cooking solutions, with EUR 30 million (Sh88 billion) already invested and a new EUR 20 million (Sh59 billion) regional programme underway to expand access to green energy solutions.
Further investments are being planned to enhance energy infrastructure supporting Tanzania’s agriculture and mining sectors.
Europe Day also spotlighted gender inclusion in energy, featuring young Tanzanian women pursuing careers in the sector through scholarships supported by the EU, UNDP, and the Embassy of Ireland. In November 2024, 25 scholarships in sustainable energy engineering were awarded, bringing the total to 35 under Tanzania’s first Energy Efficiency Action Plan an initiative promoting women in STEM and a just green transition.
Ambassador Grau noted that, over the past seven years, the EU has invested EUR 65 million (Sh192 billion) to connect over one-third of Tanzanian villages to electricity, improving energy access for more than one million rural residents.
Looking ahead, the EU is preparing a new cooperation framework for 2026, aligned with Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
This next phase will prioritize climate resilience, sustainable economic growth, youth employment, and democratic governance.
The EU remains Tanzania’s leading partner in trade, investment, and development, committed to fostering peace, prosperity, and inclusive progress.
