Biteko rallies for CNG as East African Petroleum Conference commences
Delegates attend the curtain-raiser in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 ahead of the start of the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2025 (EAPCE ’25). PHOTO | CORESPONDENT
What you need to know:
- The theme of the conference, “Energy Transitions are the Responsibility of East African Community Member States to Create an Equitable Energy Sector with a Changing Environment for Member States,”
Dar es Salaam. Deputy Prime Minister Doto Biteko on Tuesday', March 4, 2025, called upon investors and the general public to take advantage of the upcoming East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2025 (EAPCE’25) to gain deeper insights into compressed natural gas (CNG) and its benefits.
Speaking at the pre-conference session in Dar es Salaam, Dr Biteko said the meeting was not a coincidence but a timely event, aligning with global efforts to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
“We all agree that climate change is a global issue requiring collective efforts to combat. With this understanding, several international treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol, Montreal Protocol, and the Paris Agreement, have been ratified to address climate change through various measures. We have since seen a growing commitment from both developed and developing countries in implementing climate-related strategies,” he stated.
The theme of the conference, “Energy Transitions are the Responsibility of East African Community Member States to Create an Equitable Energy Sector with a Changing Environment for Member States,” underscores the importance of regional cooperation in energy transformation.
Dr Biteko said that despite contributing the least to climate change, African nations have been proactive in incorporating climate-related strategies into their legal and regulatory frameworks.
“These legislations focus on fostering a green economy, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable development. The East African Community’s (EAC) initiative to establish the EAC Climate Change Policy and the EAC Climate Change Master Plan is clear proof of the region’s dedication to addressing climate concerns,” he added.
He urged participants to use the conference as a platform to discuss the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in East Africa.
“I appreciate everyone who has attended this session, and I encourage you to make use of this opportunity to deliberate on how East Africans can shift from using dirty energy to clean energy. This is just the beginning, and discussions will continue over the next two days, where various leaders from across East Africa will convene to address key issues related to oil and gas,” Dr Biteko said.
The main sessions of the EAPCE’25 conference are set to commence today, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to explore the future of energy in the region.
LPG use surges by 33pc
In a separate incident, Dr Biteko revealed a 33 per cent increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage among households, one year after the launch of the national clean cooking initiative.
Speaking during a symposium promoting the use of electricity for cooking, which featured new digital electric stoves on March 4, Dr Biteko revealed that LPG importers sold 13 million gas cylinders over the past year, marking a record high since LPG was first introduced in the country.
The symposium, organised by women workers of the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco), was held ahead of International Women’s Day.
Dr Biteko noted that the use of clean energy was gaining momentum due to awareness campaigns.
In May last year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a $1.8 billion (Sh4 trillion) 10-year national clean cooking energy strategy.
During the launch, the president issued several directives to facilitate the strategy’s implementation, aiming to mitigate the effects of climate change.
She raised concerns over the negative impact of unsafe cooking methods, such as firewood and charcoal, on public health and the environment.
“During my meeting with the importers, I was given figures that reflect this progress, which is a result of the awareness campaigns that have been carried out,” Dr Biteko said.
He urged women in the energy sector to take an active role in addressing the negative effects of traditional cooking methods.
“Women in the energy sector should take the lead and set an example for others in championing the clean cooking agenda,” he emphasised.
