Kilimanjaro struggles to meet its regional clean cooking goal

Moshi. Only two percent of public institutions in Kilimanjaro Region are currently using clean cooking energy, according to a report from the Regional Commissioner’s Office.

The National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy Use (2024–2034), Chapter Four, under the outcome indicators, had set a target to “ban the use of firewood and traditional charcoal in 31,395 institutions that prepare and serve food for more than 100 people by January 2024.”

However, this deadline was extended to December 2024, and later, on February 16, 2025, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa added another five months, pushing the ban to July 2025.

“We have extended the deadline by five months to allow institutions that had not yet complied with the directive on clean cooking energy to include the requirement in their budgets. It is my expectation that by the end of this period, the directive will have been fully implemented,” said Mr Majaliwa.

A monitoring report assessing the implementation of clean cooking energy use in public institutions serving more than 100 people across Kilimanjaro’s district councils, as of May 2025, showed that only 25 out of 1,316 institutions had adopted clean cooking.

The regional target is to have at least 104 institutions using clean cooking energy by December 2025, meaning an additional 79 institutions must make the transition.

The report listed the institutions as including 273 secondary schools, 1,006 primary schools, 21 colleges, 15 hospitals, and one elderly care centre.

Speaking to Mwananchi, Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu said the number was still very low compared to government expectations.

Mr Babu noted that efforts being taken include awareness campaigns through regional and council-level meetings, as well as collaboration with the private sector.

“Gas companies have provided 10,095 subsidised cylinders, while the Rural Energy Agency (REA) has financed gas infrastructure construction in boarding schools in Rombo Tarakea, Hai, Siha, and Same,” he said, directing institutions that have not yet complied to learn from those already making progress.

The RC also instructed council directors’ offices to allocate budgets for clean energy, particularly for institutions located in urban centers and those catering for students with special needs.

For her part, the Northern Zone manager for the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), Engineer Fedgrace Shuma, said that by the end of this year, they expect to connect 90,000 new electricity customers in the region.

Tanesco Kilimanjaro Public Relations Officer, Mwanaisha Mbita, added that on August 3 they organized the Mwanamke Shupavu festival to raise awareness and distributed over 1,000 energy-efficient stoves free of charge across all seven districts of Kilimanjaro.

“The stove we launched can cook with just one unit of electricity per day,” she said.

Retired teacher Rajabu Mwita, a resident of Mabogini ward in Moshi Rural District and one of the stove beneficiaries, said it had helped him cut costs and reduce family disputes caused by delays in cooking with firewood and charcoal.

“I used to argue with my wife and children over late meals, but since we got this stove, which has been a blessing for us, those quarrels are over,” he said.

Dependence on firewood and charcoal remains high

Ms Elizabeth Sayuni, a food vendor in Moshi Municipality, said she still uses firewood because it is cheaper and she fears gas explosions, which have occasionally caused fires in her neighbourhood.

“I use firewood because it’s affordable. I don’t want to use gas because I fear explosions—we’ve already witnessed fake cylinders exploding at our neighbours’ houses. Firewood cooks food faster, and it even tastes better than gas. Normally, I buy three bundles for Sh500, and in two days, I spend about Sh1,500,” she said.

Kisaka Iddi, a chips vendor in Moshi town, said he has resorted to using an energy-efficient stove combined with electricity to cut costs.

“I stopped using firewood and charcoal because of their availability issues. Now this Maranda stove lasts longer, and I only spend Sh5,000 per day, compared to Sh10,000–15,000 when I was using charcoal,” he said.

Gas safety and ongoing initiatives

Northern Zone Manager for the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), Engineer Lorivii Long’idu, said that gas supply challenges will ease once the Tanga mega gas storage facility, with a capacity of 35,000 tonnes, becomes operational.

He added that EWURA is creating a friendly regulatory environment that will enable traders to obtain licenses quickly and operate under proper supervision, ensuring safe gas distribution.

“People used to fear gas, thinking it is dangerous and could burn houses, but the truth is gas is safe if used properly. We are educating the public on safe usage and also guiding investors on storage and handling to prevent accidents,” he said.

Stanley Urassa, Director of Sethi Ura Company Ltd, a private-sector institution, said the biggest challenges to adopting clean energy are cost and lack of awareness. His company is promoting alternatives such as rice husk briquettes, sawdust charcoal, and improved cookstoves.

“We produce alternative charcoal to provide people with affordable, safe, and clean energy. Our goal is to reduce the use of wood-based charcoal, which is driving deforestation and environmental degradation. Through the improved stoves we sell, we encourage communities to adopt technologies that cut costs and safeguard health,” he said.

Government initiatives, energy sector stakeholders’ efforts, and community participation all demonstrate a genuine commitment to expanding clean cooking in Kilimanjaro.

Despite the cost barriers and perceptions among some citizens, ongoing investments and continuous awareness campaigns show promise for achieving the national plan while protecting the environment and improving public health.

This story is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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