Egyptian Builders to Construct Tanzania Dam in 2022  

The Julius Nyerere dam on the Rufiji River is planned to be completed later this year by Egyptian engineering firm Arab Contractors. The $3 billion dam, when completed, could be Africa's fourth largest in terms of power generation, providing up to 5920 GWH of energy annually, allowing Tanzania to bridge the gap between those who have access to electricity and those who do not.

The dam, which will be administered by the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco), has been utilized by the Egyptian corporation to sell its engineering prowess, portraying it as a symbol of Egyptian engineering expertise. According to the company's profile, the facility is erected at 440 feet with a reservoir that is around 100 kilometers long and can accommodate 34 billion cubic meters.

There will be two external outlets to discharge surplus water from the reservoir if it fills to capacity, according to the company. This, it claims, will prevent the dam from flooding, ensuring safety throughout operations.

The dam, however, is more than a representation of engineering. The Egyptian government has put pressure on the contractors to finish the dam on time and per Cairo's specifications. According to a dispatch from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's spokesman, Bassam Radi, the dam will be built "within the framework of distinct relations between Egypt and Tanzania."