Kigali. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and her host, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, have witnessed the signing of a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across the energy sector.
The agreement encompasses joint ventures in electricity infrastructure, petroleum, natural gas, and cross-border power trading.
The minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, signed the accord on behalf of Tanzania, whilst Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Jimmy Gasore.
The framework outlines a strategic roadmap for the development of electricity transmission infrastructure connecting the two East African nations, a critical step that will facilitate seamless cross-border electricity trading.
Beyond power grids, the partnership extends to the exploration, extraction, and transportation of petroleum and natural gas, alongside the development of robust fuel storage infrastructure.
The signing ceremony took place on the margins of the Second Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit in Africa, currently convened at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.
Under the terms of the memorandum, both nations will oversee the implementation of key regional power initiatives.
This includes the operational 80-megawatt Rusumo hydroelectric project and the upcoming 39-megawatt Nsongezi project situated along the Kagera River.
The landmark event was attended by a distinguished delegation of senior officials, including Tanzania’s Minister for Finance, Amb Khamis Mussa Omar, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmood Thabit Kombo.
Also present were Zanzibar’s Deputy Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals, Seif Kombo Pandu, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy responsible for Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mr Felchesmi Mramba.
The delegation was further supported by the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Rished Bade, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Dr Habib Kambanga, and the Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy, Innocent Luoga, alongside technical experts from the respective ministries of energy, finance, and foreign affairs.
