Tanzania: Magufuli revives Stiegler’s Gorge hydro scheme

The government has revived controversial plans for the 2,100MW Stiegler’s Gorge dam in the Selous Game Reserve, despite environmentalists’ concerns about the potential impact on the World Heritage site. Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn visited Tanzania in March and agreed to send a team of experts to advise on the project, planned for the Stiegler’s Gorge canyon on the Rufiji River in southern Tanzania. A delegation led by Ethiopian minister of water, irrigation and electricity Sileshi Bekele arrived at the end of June to meet Tanzanian officials.