Following extensive scoping globally and in Tanzania, we identified three priority areas for action to accelerate a transition towards a people-centred, sustainable energy future in Tanzania and beyond:

Accountable Energy

The Lab is exploring ways to improve information and feedback mechanisms between consumers, government, and energy providers. Putting end-user perspectives centre stage, the aim is to build informed dialogue and understanding between users and providers, and improve customer perceptions on quality of service.

Energy and Jobs

The renewable energy and energy access sectors in Tanzania are showing significant growth, particularly with the emergence of new small and medium enterprises (SMEs) serving low-income communities. However, while there are Tanzanian-owned companies, many of the more established players attracting large investments are foreign-owned SMEs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Lab focuses on identifying new ways of creating energy jobs nationally: beyond access to finance, what is needed to foster local micro and small-scale businesses in the renewable energy access space? How can we create sustainable job opportunities? And what is required to supply energy for productive activities in communities where people on low-incomes live and work?

Decentralised Energy

Providing energy for all Tanzanians will depend significantly on distributed energy, such as mini-grids and stand-alone systems, often using renewable or hybrid sources. Mini-grid operators are increasingly attracted by Tanzania’s policy environment. This has created a window of opportunity, but many projects remain at the pilot stage. Both mini- grid and off-grid providers need to develop pilots into successful businesses and continue to innovate in the design of services. The Lab aims to better understand the decentralised Tanzanian energy landscape. We explore key questions, such as how off-grid green energy services can be better designed so they result in significant uptake and are driven by end-user demand. We explore the enabling environment, including the supporting policy and financial structures already in place but possibly under-utilised, and examine what new design approaches, policy tools, and financial models need to be created.