Egypt’s Housing Minister Assem El-Gazzar inspected progress on the $2.9 bn Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant and Dam project in Tanzania being implemented by an Egyptian consortium, Invest-Gate reports.

El-Gazzar confirmed Egypt pays great attention to the project, which reflects the ties between the two countries. Furthermore, the project confirms the Egyptian companies’ capabilities to implement major projects in Africa, El-Gazzar said.

The minister’s visit aims to follow project progress on the ground and convey Egypt’s interest to Tanzanian officials to achieve development for Tanzania.

El-Gazzar and his delegation toured the project and heard an update showing the main dam are 100% complete, the power station is 77% done and the intake works 100% complete.

The project includes a 1,025-meter dam completed on the Rufiji River, storing 14 bn cubic meters of water. The main dam gates have been tested.

The Egyptian consortium executing the project said 1.4 million cubic meters of concrete were used for the main dam. Main channels exceeding 1,500 meters were excavated and lined. All intake gates have been installed.

Work continues on the turbine building, with turbine units and supplied parts being installed to the required quality levels. The bridge spanning the Rufiji River, allowing loads up to 300 tons, has been completed.

The $2.9 billion project aims to annually generate enough power for 17 million Tanzanian families.