Dr. Doto Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, says that Tanzania wants to add nuclear power to the country’s electrical grid. This is part of the country’s efforts to meet the growing energy demands that come with industrial expansion.
This is what Dr. Biteko stated yesterday at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, where he was the main speaker.
“The government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Ministry of Energy, under my leadership, to ensure that electricity generated from nuclear sources is incorporated into the National Grid,” he said.
Dr. Biteko noted that the government is following the order and taking strategic steps, such collaborating with other authorities to help nuclear power flourish. This is viewed as an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective source of energy.
He said that Tanzania had a high-level conference in June 2025 to create awareness about nuclear energy among stakeholders. People at the gathering spoke about establishing a new organisation to watch over and manage nuclear energy projects.
“Tanzania is committed to creating a conducive environment for the development of nuclear power, by formulating robust policies and establishing legal and regulatory frameworks to manage nuclear resources and guide power generation,” Dr Biteko stressed.
He also added that the government is spending a lot of money on teaching people so that nuclear technology may be utilised in health care, farming, and other essential areas, not only the energy sector.
Dr. Biteko said that the National Energy Policy, the Renewable Energy Strategy, and the Mineral Development Policy are all examples of existing policy frameworks that already regard nuclear energy as an integral element of the country’s future energy mix. He also added that the government intends to change the 2013 Nuclear technologies Policy to stay up with new technologies and best practices from across the globe.
Dr. Edouard Ngirente, the Prime Minister of Rwanda, started the conference by talking about how nuclear energy can assist his country attain its 2050 Development Vision, which aims to turn Rwanda into a high-income economy.
“Nuclear power is safe, reliable and independent of weather conditions such as rainfall. It will play a crucial role in advancing our technological and economic development,” Dr Ngirente said.
He emphasised that African countries should be the ones to come up with clean and long-lasting energy solutions that meet growing requirements while protecting the environment.
Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Zeine, expressed the same thing. He added that Niger has already launched its nuclear energy program along with other sources like hydropower.
“Nuclear power is clean and highly effective for addressing electricity needs across Africa,” he stated.
Dr. Lassina Zerbo, who runs the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, said that Rwanda is virtually done developing nuclear power plants.
He said that this milestone was attainable because there was tremendous governmental will and popular faith in nuclear technology.
Important individuals from all around Africa and beyond came together for the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit, which began on June 30 and concludes today. The goal is to speed up the adoption of nuclear energy technologies so that the energy revolution on the continent may be more fair and long-lasting.
