REA and STAMICO Sign TSh 4.5 Billion Agreement to Build Clean Energy Plant in Geita



Dar es Salaam, July 22, 2025 .

The Government of Tanzania, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA) and the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), has signed a TSh 4.5 billion contract to establish a new plant for producing alternative energy (Rafiki Briquettes) in Geita Region.

The signing ceremony took place at REA's Sub-Office in Dar es Salaam. Under the agreement, REA will contribute TSh 3 billion for the purchase of machinery, while STAMICO will provide TSh 1.5 billion for land acquisition, factory construction, and machinery installation. The contract was signed by REA Director General, Eng. Hassan Saidy, and STAMICO Managing Director, Dr. Venance Mwasse.

The plant aims to boost the production of clean cooking energy and support Tanzania’s goal of achieving 80% usage of clean energy by 2034, in line with directives from the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Speaking during the event, Eng. Saidy said REA is implementing various projects to expand access to clean energy in rural areas, including the production and distribution of Rafiki Briquettes. He emphasized that the agreement is part of President Samia's directive for REA and STAMICO to work together in increasing the supply of clean energy and reducing the public's dependence on unhealthy, environmentally harmful, and economically burdensome energy sources.

REA is also undertaking projects to promote clean cooking energy use, such as distributing improved cookstoves, electric stoves, 6kg and 15kg LPG cylinders, expanding the use of natural gas in Lindi and Pwani regions, and developing clean cooking infrastructure in public institutions.

Dr. Venance Mwasse thanked REA for its support, describing it as a vital tool for STAMICO in fulfilling its mission of helping Tanzanians transition away from unclean and unsafe energy sources by 2034. He stressed that the project is in line with President Samia’s agenda to empower women by enabling them to access clean cooking energy.

Currently, Rafiki Briquettes are used by the Tanzania Prisons Service (all 129 prisons nationwide), as well as by units of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) and National Service (JKT), and institutions such as training colleges, schools, hotels, restaurants, and barbecue vendors. Dr. Mwasse said STAMICO will continue to ensure proper maintenance of the equipment to provide efficient service to the public.

Following this agreement, STAMICO will now operate five Rafiki Briquettes production plants. These include facilities in Kisarawe (Pwani), Kiwira (Songwe), Dodoma, Tabora (both nearing completion), and the newly planned plant in Geita. The project is expected to promote the use of clean energy across the country, improve public health, protect the environment, and strengthen the livelihoods of Tanzanians.


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