Tanzania: TANESCO Launches First EV Charging Station In Dodoma, Offers Free Charging For One Month

Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi, has officially inaugurated the first Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station in Dodoma, a development being described as a major milestone in the country’s transport sector.

The new facility, located at Jamatini in Dodoma, is equipped with three charging units, each with a capacity of 22 kilowatts.

The chargers are capable of serving a wide range of electric vehicles, including cars, three-wheelers (bajajs) and motorcycles.

For instance, a fully charged BYD SeaLion 6 electric vehicle can travel up to 600 kilometres at an electricity cost of approximately TZS 30,000, equivalent to about 80 units of power.

In addition, a fully charged electric bajaj can travel up to 120 kilometres, while a two-wheeled electric motorcycle, commonly known as a boda boda, can cover up to 100 kilometres before requiring another charge.

Speaking at the launch, Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi said the initiative demonstrates Tanzania’s commitment to actively participating in the global transition to clean energy while improving livelihoods and supporting economic growth.

“This initiative expands the use of electricity beyond cooking to transportation, with the aim of improving the quality of life of citizens, reducing the cost of living and stimulating national economic growth,” Ndejembi said.

He noted that the government has continued to make significant investments in the energy sector, enabling Tanzania’s electricity generation capacity to exceed 4,000 megawatts and laying the foundation for broader electricity use across various sectors of the economy.

To support the adoption of electric mobility, TANESCO, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has received 50 modern EV charging units from China’s AUTEL company. The chargers will be installed at strategic locations across the country to improve access to charging services.

On his part, TANESCO Managing Director, Mr. Lazaro Twange, said the utility is positioning itself to lead the transformation of electricity use in Tanzania by leveraging the country’s adequate power supply.

“The traditional perception that electricity is expensive and is used only for lighting has changed significantly. Today, many citizens use electricity for cooking and various economic activities, and the launch of EV charging stations opens a new chapter in the use of clean energy in Tanzania,” Twange said.

To encourage the use of the new facility, Twange announced that all electric vehicle users will be able to charge their vehicles free of charge at the Dodoma station.

He said the free charging service will be available for one month from June 11, 2026, as part of efforts to encourage Tanzanians, particularly residents of Dodoma, to adopt clean and environmentally friendly transport technologies.

The launch of the charging station is expected to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility in Tanzania while supporting government efforts to reduce transportation costs, lower fuel consumption and mitigate the effects of climate change.