Charcoal sales surge in Tanzania amid push for clean cooking energy

However, despite this upward trend, there was a 39.30 percent decline in sales compared to the previous quarter (June 2024), suggesting a seasonal fluctuation in consumption patterns.

The report, published in March 2025, has prompted stakeholders in the energy sector to propose measures aimed at reducing charcoal consumption. Among the recommendations are campaigns to increase public awareness about clean energy alternatives, addressing the cost of clean energy sources, and improving their accessibility across the country.

Tanzania is striving to achieve its goal of ensuring that 80 percent of its population uses clean cooking energy by 2034, with particular emphasis on promoting cooking gas. As part of this effort, gas cylinders are being distributed to households to facilitate the shift from charcoal and firewood.

Leading zones

According to the report, the South-Eastern zone led the country, with sales amounting to Sh3.68 billion, accounting for 64.22 percent of the total national sales. The Central region followed with Sh856.6 million in sales, while the Northern region recorded Sh775.6 million. The Lake Zone and Dar es Salaam had the lowest sales, with Sh410.9 million and Sh12.6 million, respectively.

An economist from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Dr Lutengano Mwinuka, said that a large portion of Tanzania’s population still resides in rural areas, where access to clean energy remains limited. He emphasised the importance of promoting energy-efficient stoves that use less charcoal and firewood to reduce overall consumption.

He further stressed the need for increased awareness campaigns to encourage the use of alternative energy sources, such as biomass and agricultural waste, as a means of reducing the reliance on charcoal. “This approach will help minimise the environmental impact of charcoal production,” he said.

Dr Mwinuka also called for initiatives that cater to both urban and rural areas, noting that the transition to clean energy should be practical and suited to the unique conditions of different environments. “Efforts must not be confined to cities. We must address the challenges faced by rural communities in adopting cleaner energy sources,” he added.

The Executive Director for a research body, Repoa, Dr Donald Mmari, echoed these concerns, noting that awareness campaigns have yet to reach rural areas effectively. He highlighted that while promoting the benefits of clean energy is essential, ensuring that alternative energy sources are accessible and affordable is equally important.

Addressing affordability: The gas dilemma

An economist at Mzumbe University, Prof Aurelia Kamuzora, proposed conducting research to assess Tanzanians' financial capacity to ensure gas prices are aligned with the country’s economic realities.

“Charcoal is still seen as a more affordable option compared to gas,” she explained. “Until we can make charcoal more expensive than gas, we won’t see a significant shift. The cost of gas processing and transportation remains high, and people’s purchasing power is low, making the transition gradual.”

Professor Kamuzora, also chairperson of the National Economic Empowerment Council, suggested that research should target urban food vendors to determine the most cost-effective energy source for them. “If gas cylinders are distributed, but the cost of refilling them remains high, people will revert to using charcoal,” she warned.

The way forward

Dr Mmari called for efforts to make alternative energy sources more affordable and available, particularly in rural areas. “This could be achieved by examining transportation costs, production expenses, and the technology used in energy generation to make clean energy more accessible to low-income populations,” he said.

Dr Mwinuka also stressed the need to review gas pricing policies. “Lowering gas costs could encourage wider adoption,” he said, suggesting that tax policies be adjusted to make clean energy more affordable.