Tanzania

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and has one of the youngest populations on the continent. Since 2000, it has experienced dynamic and stable growth, but is still unable to make its population benefit from it. In order to guarantee its inhabitants access to essential services, AFD supports the country in the water and energy sectors.

Femme s'approvisionnant en eau, Tanzanie

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AFD in Tanzania: share growth and reduce poverty

A woman fetches water at a source in Bukoba

Guaranteeing access to water
Accompanying the energy transition
Supporting the private sector
Working with NGOs

Guaranteeing access to water

A young woman waiting for water in Bukoba

Guaranteeing access to water

Despite significant resources, Tanzania regularly faces a shortage of clean water. For a large part of the population, access to water and connection to an efficient sanitation network remain problematic. A situation which is accentuated with the increasing urbanization of the country. To correct the situation, Tanzania launched a reform of the water sector in 1998.
AFD supports this effort through several interventions:

financial support for the development of the water sector;
investment projects in secondary towns bordering Lake Victoria.

Accompanying the energy transition

Accompanying the energy transition

Natural gas resources and hydropower plants provide a good supply of electricity to the country. However, despite a large and diversified energetic potential, renewable energies are insufficiently exploited, the connection rate of the population remains low (24%) and charcoal still represents 90% of the energy consumption of the population. Faced with growing demand, Tanzania needs to develop access to electricity, especially in rural areas where only 7% of the population is connected.

This is why AFD has made the energy sector one of its priorities. Our action focuses on strengthening distribution networks, promoting green energy and energy efficiency. After contributing to the extension and rehabilitation of the network, we plan to support:

electrification in rural areas;
production of hydro and solar energy;
regional transport and interconnection with Uganda and Zambia.

Supporting the private sector

Aga Khan Hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, health

Aga Khan Hsopital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania © Aga Khan

Supporting the private sector

The private sector is one of the driving forces of a diversified and job-creating economy. In Tanzania, AFD supports the players contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth.
In this perspective, we support:
• renewable energy and energy efficiency projects sponsored by private developers (Sunref line of credit);
• The extension of the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam and the creation of a network of 30 health centers in the country.

Working with NGOs

Working with NGOs

AFD supports the projects of NGOs active in the country in the fields of agriculture, biodiversity, health, human rights and microfinance.
Among our partners in the field: Plan International; International Development Research Center (IDRC); Doctors of the World; FERT; International Federation of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT); ATD Fourth World.

150,000

people have access to electricity

years of support to the water sector

580

million euros committed

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa bordering the Indian Ocean, and also the most populous with more than 50 million inhabitants. Its geographical location - shared borders with eight countries and a 750-kilometer maritime coastline - makes it a real regional transport hub. It is also one of the youngest African states: 19% of its population is between 15 and 24 years old.

Since 2000, Tanzania has experienced economic stability, which is mainly based on the services sector (telecommunications, construction and financial services), which accounts for 49% of GDP. The country has other assets: important mineral resources, a booming tourism boosted by an exceptional natural heritage and a high potential of energy resources.

But poverty persists, especially in rural areas: nearly 47% of the population lives on less than $1.9 a day and many people have no access to essential services (water, energy).

Active in the country since 1993, through its subsidiary Proparco based in Nairobi, Kenya, AFD has been present in Tanzania since 2008. It intervenes thanks to loans to the State and the private sector to promote sustainable growth and reduction of poverty.

AFD's Tanzania office is directly attached to the East Africa regional office in Nairobi.

Interactive map

This map is for illustrative purposes only and does not engage the responsibility of the AFD Group