Unguja. Zanzibarhas signed a landmark agreement to purchase 200 megawatts of wind power from Aseel Oilfield Services Tanzania, in partnership with Sany Renewable Energy.
The ambitious project aims to address Zanzibar’s growing energy needs and reduce the island’s reliance on imported power.
The one-year project contract, signed on January 24, 2025, will be executed in two phases. The first phase will generate 120 megawatts, with 100 megawatts allocated to Unguja and 20 megawatts to Pemba.
The first phase is expected to cost approximately $180 million (around Sh458.4 billion), whereas the second phase will involve additional investments to further enhance the capacity.
The move is part of Zanzibar’s long-term strategy to become more energy-independent. At present, the island receives its electricity from mainland Tanzania through the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), but the growing demand has highlighted the need for more sustainable solutions.
Joseph Kilangi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water, Energy, and Electricity, emphasised the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on a single energy source.
“Our goal is to ensure a consistent, sustainable, and affordable energy supply for our citizens and industries, which will drive both economic development and attract further investments,” Kilangi said.
Kilangi also noted the increasing investments in Pemba, which currently receives 20 megawatts from Tanga, and emphasised the urgency of the wind power project.
“Our target is clear – within a year, we expect significant progress, and we aim to have wind power operational as soon as possible,” he added.
Saeed Al-Jabry, CEO of Aseel Oilfield Services, highlighted the regional significance of the project.
“The Matemwe wind power station is a symbol of the collaboration between the government, Zeco, and our private partners. This project is not only a boost for Zanzibar, but for East Africa as a whole,” Al-Jabry said.
Sany Renewable Energy, which is responsible for overseeing the installation of wind power equipment, will ensure the project meets international standards of efficiency and sustainability. Matemwe in northern Unguja was chosen for its strong wind potential and proximity to existing infrastructure.
The first phase of the project will see the installation of modern wind turbines designed with minimal environmental impact, while the second phase will add an additional 80 megawatts of capacity. This will further contribute to Zanzibar’s energy security.
Zeco’s General Manager, Haji Mohamed Haji, expressed optimism about the project’s long-term benefits. “Not only will this project provide reliable and sufficient power, but it will also support economic growth, create jobs, and foster community development,” Haji said.
Haji also highlighted the current limitations in Zanzibar’s power supply, noting that the island is operating at near capacity.
“The 100 megawatt line is nearly 93 percent utilised, whereas it should ideally be at 80 percent capacity. Additionally, the electricity we receive from Dar es Salaam is 132 kilovolts, but due to infrastructure challenges, we are currently only receiving 114 kilovolts, which is insufficient,” he explained.
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“As of the 15 of January 2025, laboratory results from all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg Virus,” Tanzanian Health Minister Jenista Mhagama said in a statement. This would have marked the country’s second experience with the highly infectious disease that recently killed over a dozen people in neighboring Rwanda. Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in 2023 in the Kegara region, said to have been the epicenter of the new suspected cases.
At the Africa CDC online briefing on Thursday, Kaseya also said another infectious disease, Mpox, “remains a public health concern”. He said that while in December 2024, the disease had afflicted 20 countries, a new country – Sierra Leone – has been added to the number after recent outbreak there. Sierra Leonean health authorities said on January 10 that two cases of Mpox had been confirmed in the country and dozens of contacts are being traced.
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Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
