By Salha Msangi, Dar es Salaam /Tanzania
TANZANIA has officially launched smart meters aimed at improving and simplifying the process for customers to purchase electricity directly, marking a major technological transformation undertaken by TANESCO to enhance efficiency in service delivery to customers.
The launch took place today, December 05, 2025, and was officiated by the Minister of Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), and was attended by various government leaders, energy-sector stakeholders, and TANESCO officials.
Speaking during the launch, Ndejembi said the new meters enable customers to get electricity immediately after purchasing a token without using an additional device to enter numbers (CIU), a move aimed at reducing the challenges experienced under the old system.
“Today we are proud of this major historic step made by TANESCO, being one of the public companies performing well in customer service delivery in the country. The smart meter brings major transformation in how the company manages revenue collection,” Ndejembi said.
He added that the challenges customers faced when entering tokens pushed the Government of Tanzania to implement technological reforms.
“This launch marks a major milestone for our country in technological transformation, and I direct TANESCO to ensure it distributes these meters in all areas with high demand and ensures they meet international standards while also providing education on their benefits,” he emphasized.
He said the government has invested 13.5 billion shillings for the implementation of various electricity projects including generation and distribution.
He emphasized that the launch of these meters is a real solution to electricity challenges, enabling citizens to buy electricity from anywhere and receive notifications when the electricity is about to run out.
He said the company has more than 5.6 million customers, and installation of the meters has already begun and is reaching all customers in phases.
The Minister called on TANESCO officials to ensure the investment aligns with the country’s technology and needs.
For her part, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Salome Makamba, said the launch of smart meters is a continuation of the Government’s commitment to improving services for citizens.
“I am pleased to witness this major step of transformation, being the 33rd day since President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed office. Today we mark an important moment through the launch of smart meters for TANESCO customers,” said Salome.
Additionally, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, emphasized the importance of protecting electricity infrastructure and commended TANESCO for strengthening cooperation with security organs in curbing acts of vandalism.
“This step reminds us of our great responsibility to protect infrastructure. I commend TANESCO for its cooperation with the Police Force in combating sabotage of infrastructure. Continue with this speed so that electricity service remains reliable,” Chalamila said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, praised TANESCO for timely implementation, noting that smart meter technology will greatly simplify the identification of customer challenges even before they report them to TANESCO.
He said the smart meters enable TANESCO to disconnect electricity without physically visiting the location.
