Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment in its energy transition and its green industrialisation. Rapid population growth, industrialisation and rising electricity demand are reshaping its energy needs, while the global drive to phase out fossil fuels and scale up modern renewables is gathering pace and rewriting the path to sustainable development. Tanzania is well positioned to seize these generational opportunities. The East African nation possesses abundant renewable energy potential that could underpin a thriving green economy.

Technical studies estimate over 2,700 GW of practical solar PV potential, more than 230 GW of grid-adjacent wind potential, sizeable geothermal resources along the Rift Valley, and untapped hydro and wave resources far exceeding projected domestic power demand up to the middle of the century (Teske et al., 2025). Alongside this, Tanzania could also become a regional leader in clean energy and green industry.

It’s central location in East African gives its access to two continental power pools, the EAPP and SAPP, while the port of Dar Es Salaam could become an export hub for green technologies. Tanzania also has some of the largest and highest quality reserves of critical minerals, such as graphite and nickel, on earth. Unlocking these potentials is highly dependent on policy choices, investment mobilisation, and implementation over the coming decade.