Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, has announced that the government is continuing to implement President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to ensure the country utilizes its uranium resources to generate nuclear energy.
Speaking in Kigali, Rwanda, June 30, 2025 during the Africa Nuclear Business Platform conference, Dr. Biteko said that the government has already developed coordinated strategies across various state institutions to achieve the goal of producing nuclear electricity. He emphasized that nuclear energy is cost-effective compared to other energy sources and is environmentally friendly.
“The government will ensure the creation of a conducive environment for nuclear energy development by formulating strong policies and establishing legal and regulatory frameworks to manage nuclear resources and electricity production,” Dr. Biteko stressed.
He further stated that electricity generated from nuclear energy will be integrated into the national grid, enabling Tanzania to become more self-sufficient in energy, especially in light of the growing power demand from industries.
On May 24, 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed the Ministry of Energy to accelerate the development of uranium projects to ensure the country can produce nuclear energy in the future.
To ensure Tanzania’s success in this endeavor, Dr. Biteko noted that the government will invest in developing a skilled workforce in nuclear technologies. This human capital will also support the use of nuclear energy in other sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.
He added that Tanzania already has various documents recognizing nuclear energy as a strategic resource to meet future energy demands. These include the National Energy Policy, the Renewable Energy Strategy, and the Mineral Development Policy.
However, he said the government also plans to update the 2013 Nuclear Technology Policy to reflect recent developments and align it with international standards.
One of the main uranium projects in Tanzania is the Mkuju River Project, located in southern Tanzania in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region. The project is operated by Mantra Tanzania Limited, a subsidiary of Uranium One Group, which is owned by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, ROSATOM. As of 2023, the company had reported nearing completion of a uranium processing plant.
