Controversy may mire Tanzania’s Stiegler’s Gorge Dam

Subject

Tanzania's controversial hydroelectric project at Stiegler's Gorge.

Significance

President John Magufuli is championing the construction of a new mega-dam: the Stiegler’s Gorge Project. In October, Arab Contractors, an Egyptian construction firm with little hydropower experience, was announced as the dam’s builder, and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi was invited to lay the foundation stone. However, the project is also deeply controversial as Stiegler’s Gorge lies in the biodiverse heartland of the UNESCO World Heritage Selous Game Reserve.

Impacts

• The dam is likely to face significant continued opposition from governments, academics and civil society groups.
• The government may choose to use the power for industrial purposes rather than to electrify the country and increase access for citizens.
• Tanzania’s lack of experience in delivering infrastructure projects on this scale and its history of corruption will elevate concerns.