Tanzania inaugurated the $2.9bn Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant on Saturday, adding 2115 megawatts (MW) of electricity to its national grid through a mega-facility constructed by an Egyptian consortium.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, participating on behalf of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi under direct instructions, unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the official operational launch of the project following a joint inspection tour.
In his speech during the opening ceremony, Madbouly conveyed Al-Sisi’s greetings and congratulations to President Hassan and the Tanzanian people, describing the dam as a great Tanzanian dream that has been realised on the ground. He stated that the giant structure stands before our eyes as a witness to a strong Tanzanian will and to the great Egyptian technical capabilities and expertise. He added that the achievement reinforces a shared political awareness of what our peoples can achieve on the path of sustainable development when a spirit of brotherhood, understanding, and cooperation prevails, while reaffirming Egypt’s full readiness to continue partnerships across the continent to build a better present and a promising future.
Madbouly expressed gratitude to the Egyptian consortium of Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric for what he termed a historic achievement in building one of the three largest dams in Africa. He noted that the successful completion of the project over 42 months of hard work demonstrates the ability of Egyptian companies to execute major international infrastructure projects, particularly within Africa.
The main concrete dam extends 1036 metres in length and stands 131 metres high, featuring a crest bridge connecting the banks of the Rufiji River and retaining a reservoir capacity of 34 bn cubic metres of water managed by seven spillway gates. The power plant incorporates nine massive water turbines producing 235 MW each to achieve the 2115 MW total capacity, with electricity routed through a 400-kilovolt switchyard into the national grid via the Chalinze 1 and Chalinze 2 transmission lines.
Addressing bilateral economic relations, Madbouly called on both nations to capitalize on the momentum to achieve a qualitative leap in economic cooperation, increase trade rates, and encourage mutual investments. He highlighted the groundwork laid during Sisi’s visit to Dar es Salaam on July 18, 2026, which featured intensive meetings between business leaders to explore opportunities in construction, roads, maritime transport and ports, logistics zones, agriculture and land reclamation, fishing and aquaculture, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, alongside electricity and energy.
Turning to regional affairs, the Egyptian Prime Minister expressed Cairo’s appreciation for Tanzania’s positive and balanced positions on regional files of mutual interest, reiterating Egypt’s hope to strengthen Tanzania’s constructive role in encouraging cooperation and understanding among Nile Basin countries.
The ceremony was attended by senior Tanzanian figures, including Vice President Emanuel John Nchimbi, Zanzibar President and Chairperson of the Revolutionary Council Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, as well as the speaker of parliament, the chief justice, the energy minister, and the head of the parliamentary energy committee. The Egyptian delegation included Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam, Minister of Housing Randa El-Minshawy, Alexandria Governor Ayman Attia, Egyptian Ambassador Sherif Ismail, Arab Contractors Chairperson Ahmed El-Assar, and Elsewedy Electric CEO Ahmed Elsewedy.
