The inauguration of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant in Tanzania has been described as a major demonstration of Egyptian-Tanzanian cooperation and a tangible response to media narratives seeking to portray Egypt’s role in Africa inaccurately.

Anthropologist and founder of the Pan African Initiative on Media and Journalism, AfroMedia, Hassan Ghazaly, said the project demonstrated that the true nature of relations between countries was best measured by tangible achievements and development projects that directly improve the lives of citizens.

Ghazaly said the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant represented an important model of African cooperation founded on partnership, mutual interests and the exchange of expertise.

According to him, the project reflected the capacity of African expertise to execute strategic projects capable of addressing present needs while creating opportunities for future generations.

He stressed that the strength of the continent lay in greater integration among African countries and the ability to transform their resources and capabilities into tangible development outcomes.

Ghazaly further said cooperation based on common interests and respect for national sovereignty remained an effective pathway to sustainable development, adding that major infrastructure projects provided a more credible picture of international partnerships than inaccurate media narratives.

AfroMedia, which has been monitoring developments in the African media landscape, reported that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant in the Rufiji region, with an installed generation capacity of 2,115 megawatts.

The project is expected to significantly increase Tanzania’s electricity generation capacity, strengthen the stability of the national power grid and support the industrial, commercial, mining, agricultural and investment sectors.

Reports monitored by AfroMedia also indicated that President Hassan underscored the need to protect the plant’s infrastructure, water resources and surrounding environment to guarantee its sustainable operation and long-term efficiency.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly also participated in the inauguration, where he described the project as a significant example of Egyptian-Tanzanian cooperation in energy, investment and infrastructure.

Madbouly reportedly praised the capacity of Egyptian companies to execute major infrastructure projects to international standards, particularly in Africa, saying the success of the hydropower project could further deepen cooperation between Tanzania and Egypt in trade, investment, construction, roads, ports, agriculture and energy.

The Tanzanian Energy Minister, Deo Ndejembi, also highlighted the country’s efforts to expand its high-voltage transmission network to connect power-generation facilities with domestic load centres and regional electricity markets.

He said Tanzania was pursuing stronger regional electricity interconnections to expand opportunities for energy exchange and trade with neighbouring countries.

According to him, Tanzania was negotiating electricity exports to Zambia while also pursuing power-exchange arrangements with Kenya and other countries in the region, a development that could strengthen the country’s position as an energy hub in East and Central Africa.

Former President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, similarly described the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant as a project capable of positioning Tanzania as an energy and economic hub for East and Central Africa.

Adesina stressed the need for Tanzania to maximise the electricity generated by the project to drive mineral beneficiation, agro-processing, industrialisation and employment.

He encapsulated the challenge in a simple message: “You have built the power. Now use it to build the future.”

Ghazaly, while reflecting on the development, said the Julius Nyerere project demonstrated that Africa possessed the expertise and capabilities required to pursue an increasingly integrated development path when supported by political will and partnerships based on trust and mutual benefit.

He also called for greater responsibility among African media organisations in reporting the continent’s development stories, particularly by highlighting successful projects that contribute to economic growth, social stability and improved living conditions.

According to him, the future of Africa would be determined by joint efforts and tangible achievements rather than slogans, adding that the Julius Nyerere project reinforced the view that Egyptian-African relations could be anchored on cooperation, integration and shared interests.

He said such cooperation was consistent with the principle of mutual benefit and peaceful development among African nations, stressing that development partnerships should advance common interests without causing harm to any party.

The AfroMedia Initiative said the facts surrounding the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant contradicted narratives attempting to present an inaccurate picture of Egypt’s role in Africa.

It maintained that major development projects offered their own evidence through their impact on citizens and national economies, adding that the results of such cooperation remained a lasting testimony to the relationship between participating countries and peoples.

“Truth is built through action, and achievements remain the strongest message,” the initiative stated.