(Ecofin Agency) - Tanzania signed with the World Bank a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a $209 million funding of its national rural electrification program.

“The government of Tanzania wishes to modernize its economy through industrialization. Expansion and power infrastructure improvement programs, paired with reinforcement of technical sector will help it achieve this,” said Minister of Energy and Mining, Sospeter Muhongo.

The nation rural electrification program which extends over six years, has already registered the participation of many partners to development. Norway gave $80 million, Sweden $70 million, the European Union $50 million, England $42 million and the African Development Bank (AfDB) also provided $25 million.

Tanzania aims to, in the next 5 years, insure that its rural areas have more access to electricity than its urban areas, a never seen feat in Africa.

Gwladys Johnson