Tanzania’s Energy Revolution: Why Coal Could Be the Key to National Development
Tanzania stands at a critical energy crossroads, with an untapped resource that could transform its economic landscape: coal. As the nation grapples with chronic electricity challenges, coal emerges as a potential game-changing solution for powering national growth and addressing critical development needs.
The current energy strategy presents significant contradictions. Expensive imported LPG gas burdens rural communities, with families facing high cooking fuel costs, while hydropower continues to struggle with reliability issues. Meanwhile, Tanzania sits on approximately 5 billion tonnes of coal reserves—a potential powerhouse waiting to be leveraged.
Key advantages of coal development include:
– 2.5 times more energy-efficient than traditional charcoal
– Lower CO2 emissions per energy unit
– Significantly reduced household energy costs
– Potential to generate up to 5GW of electricity within five years
The proposal involves a strategic approach: establishing regional coal power plants, particularly in the North and Lake Zone regions. This could effectively end persistent blackouts, stimulate industrial growth, and provide a stable energy foundation for national development.
Critically, while global discussions often marginalize African energy needs, Tanzania can chart a pragmatic path. With only 3% contribution to global emissions, the nation has a moral imperative to prioritize its population’s immediate energy requirements.
The strategy isn’t about perpetual coal dependence but using it as a transitional resource. By generating revenue and infrastructure through coal, Tanzania can ultimately fund more sustainable energy solutions like solar power.
For millions of Tanzanians lacking reliable electricity—rural mothers, students, healthcare workers—coal represents more than an energy source. It’s a potential pathway to improved living standards, economic opportunity, and national self-determination.
The time has come for Tanzania to embrace its natural resources, reject external narratives, and design an energy strategy fundamentally aligned with national interests.
