The City Electric: Infrastructure and Ingenuity in Postsocialist Tanzania

In the last 20 years, the power supply in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's metropolis, has become less reliable while its importance has increased. The socialist-era energy company Tanesco is characterized by increased fees, aging infrastructure, and a sluggish bureaucracy. Some residents contemplate off-grid solutions, while others repair, extend, or tap into the state network with the assistance of freelance electricians or moonlighting utility employees. Michael Degani's book "The City Electric" explores how electricity and its piracy have become a key site for urban Tanzanians to enact, experience, and debate their social contract with the state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Over the past two decades of neoliberal reform, the power supply in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's bustling metropolis, has experienced a significant decline in reliability, despite the city's growing importance. While mobile phones, televisions, and refrigerators have become ubiquitous, the electricity required to power these devices is still supplied by the socialist-era energy company Tanesco, known for its exorbitant fees, aging infrastructure, and sluggish bureaucracy. While some residents consider off-grid solutions, others resort to repairing, extending, or tapping into the state network with the assistance of freelance electricians or moonlighting utility employees.

In his book, The City Electric: Michael Degani delves into how electricity and its piracy have become crucial sites for urban Tanzanians to enact, experience, and debate their social contract with the state. Moving from the politics of generation contracts to the street-level experience of blackouts and disconnection patrols, he reveals the logics of infrastructural modification and their effects on everyday life. As politicians, residents, electricians, and utility inspectors all redistribute flows of payment and power, they redefine the energy grid as both a technical system and an ongoing experiment in collective interdependence.

The reliance on Tanesco for electricity has led to increased fees and economic burdens for many residents. The company's outdated infrastructure, coupled with limited investment in maintenance and expansion, has resulted in frequent power outages and disruptions. This has had a significant impact on businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, forcing them to rely on backup generators or alternative sources of power.

Despite the challenges posed by Tanesco, some residents have found innovative ways to cope with the unreliable power supply. Freelance electricians and utility employees have become a valuable resource, offering their services to repair, extend, or tap into the state network. These individuals often work in the informal sector, operating without proper licenses or regulations, and their services are often cheaper than those provided by Tanesco.

However, the use of freelance electricians and utility employees also raises concerns about safety and quality of work. There have been reports of substandard electrical installations, which can lead to fires and other accidents. Additionally, the lack of regulation in the informal sector can create a breeding ground for corruption and exploitation.

To address the issues of unreliable power supply and the informal sector, the Tanzanian government has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the energy sector. These include the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, as well as the expansion of the national grid. The government has also launched programs to improve the efficiency of Tanesco and promote competition in the energy market.

Despite these efforts, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is the need for increased investment in the energy sector, both in terms of infrastructure and technology. The government needs to prioritize the energy sector in its budget allocation and attract private investment to help improve the quality and reliability of the power supply.

Another challenge is the need to address the informal sector and promote sustainable and legal practices in the energy industry. The government should work towards regulating the informal sector and providing training and support to freelance electricians and utility employees to ensure that they are operating safely and efficiently.

In conclusion, the power supply in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has experienced a significant decline in reliability over the past two decades of neoliberal reform. While the city has witnessed an influx of mobile phones, televisions, and refrigerators, the electricity required to power these devices is still supplied by the socialist-era energy company Tanesco, known for its exorbitant fees, aging infrastructure, and sluggish bureaucracy. While some residents consider off-grid solutions, others resort to repairing, extending, or tapping into the state network with the assistance of freelance electricians or moonlighting utility employees.

The reliance on Tanesco for electricity has led to increased fees and economic burdens for many residents, and the company's outdated infrastructure has resulted in frequent power outages and disruptions. However, some residents have found innovative ways to cope with the unreliable power supply, such as freelance electricians and utility employees. To address the issues of unreliable power supply and the informal sector, the Tanzanian government has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the energy sector. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as the need for increased investment in the energy sector, the need to address the informal sector, and the need to promote sustainable and legal practices in the energy industry.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019145