Vienna, Austria. The Government of Austria, through UniCredit Bank, has pledged to provide €20 million (about Sh60 billion) to Tanzania for the implementation of renewable energy projects generating electricity from solar power and waste.
The pledge was made by the Chief Executive Officer of Merl Solar Technologies GmbH, Mr Hannes Merl, during talks with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Mr Felchesmi Mramba, on September 17, 2025, on the sidelines of the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.
Mr Mramba welcomed the company to Tanzania to meet with local experts and begin preparations for the new projects, assuring full cooperation from the government to ensure their success.
He recalled that Merl Solar had previously executed solar energy projects in the country, saying: “The company implemented power projects in ten villages between 2015 and 2017.”
According to him, the projects involved 14 solar-powered container systems in Kongwa District (Dodoma), Mlele District (Katavi), and Uyui District (Tabora), with a total investment of Sh16.2 billion.
The initiatives provided electricity to 812 households, 27 places of worship, six schools and eight health centres.
Mr Mramba expressed appreciation to the Austrian government for its continued commitment, highlighting that the planned projects align with Tanzania’s National Energy Compact, which seeks to extend electricity access to all citizens by 2030 under the “Mission 300” programme.
The meeting between the Energy Ministry and Merl Solar was held at the Tanzanian Embassy in Vienna and attended by Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to Austria, Ambassador Naimi S. Aziz, and the Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mr Innocent Luoga.
