By Business Insider Reporter
Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi has assured residents of Kigamboni that reliable electricity is on the way, following an emergency inspection of power infrastructure in the district and the rollout of rapid-response measures by Tanesco.
During a working tour on November 29, 2025 at the Dege power receiving, stepping-down and distribution substation, the Minister directed the immediate implementation of solutions to address persistent electricity shortages in the fast-growing district.
“We are here to see how Tanesco can resolve this challenge as quickly as possible. They have put forward solid long-term plans, including strengthening the Dege station with a 120MVA transformer to guarantee stable power supply,” Ndejembi said.
Emergency measures to deliver 22MW boost
To ease the current strain on the grid, Tanesco will construct a new transmission line to bring 22MW of power from the Mbagala substation to Kigamboni, a stopgap solution expected to provide immediate relief for homes and businesses.
“In the short term, Tanesco has assured me that a line bringing 22 megawatts from Mbagala to Kigamboni will be operational soon. This will significantly improve electricity availability for residents,” he added.
Large-scale transformer deployment underway
Beyond emergency measures, the government is accelerating structural improvements. Tanesco has already installed 93 transformers to address low-voltage challenges and is in the process of installing an additional 50 transformers, expected to be completed by March 2026.
“These actions are aimed at eliminating low-voltage problems and expanding the network’s capacity. By the end of March 2026, the additional 50 transformers will be fully installed,” Ndejembi said.
Kigamboni District Commissioner Mikaya Dalmia thanked the Minister for intervening and pledged close cooperation with Tanesco to resolve the district’s long-standing energy challenges.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the Minister for this impactful visit to Kigamboni. I promise to continue working closely with Tanesco to ensure residents receive reliable power. I also urge our communities to be patient as these issues are addressed,” Dalmia said.
Tanesco management vows rapid action
Deputy Managing Director for Electricity Distribution at Tanesco, Engineer Athanasius Nangali, reaffirmed the utility’s commitment to swift implementation of the Minister’s directives.
“We will act immediately on the instructions. This includes installing transformers and ensuring the 22MW supply reaches Kigamboni without delay,” Nangali said.
Minister Ndejembi’s visit also reviewed the ongoing expansion of the Dege substation, which is now 60 percent complete. Once fully upgraded, the facility is expected to provide Kigamboni with sufficient power to support its economic and social activities, particularly as the district undergoes rapid urbanisation. The inspection forms part of a wider national effort to reinforce energy reliability across Tanzania, as demand rises and new urban centres such as Kigamboni expand at unprecedented speed.
