FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN TANZANIA’S ENERGY SECTOR: LESSONS FROM THE RICHMOND AND IPTL/ESCROW SCANDALS

Abstract

Tanzania expects an energy sector boom soon. However, government inaction over corruption scandals raises serious doubts about its capacity to overcome this vice. This article revisits the Richmond and Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) and Escrow scandals to illustrate how the government handled them and discuss the implications of such approach to Tanzania’s anti-corruption strategy. Analysis is based on documentary review of official reports, press reports and scholarly publications. The article is useful for understanding the dynamics of fighting grand corruption in Tanzania and the reforms that need to be adopted to control this conundrum in the energy sector.