New tech revolutionises cooking with electricity

Dar es Salaam. If you thought cooking with electricity is expensive, think again. A new innovation introduced by a Tanzanian-owned company promises to reduce cooking costs significantly, enabling you to prepare a meal for less than Sh200 in electricity.

The technology, which involves the use of pressure eCookers, ensures that meals are ready for consumption with less than a single unit of electricity, making it a cost-effective solution for households.

During a site visit to the factory by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), one of the financiers of the project, SmartPika company founder Andron Mendes revealed that the eCookers cost much less than the typical Sh350 required to cook using traditional methods.

“We have been researching this for years, and this year we are ready to introduce it into the market. To ensure many Tanzanians can access it, we will offer loans. We have designed a system that allows customers to pay a small amount via mobile phone over a year and become the owners,” said Mr Mendes.

He added that the technology was developed to change the perception that cooking with electricity is costly. In line with the government’s initiative to ensure all households are connected to electricity by 2030, he highlighted that electricity can now be used not just for lighting but also for affordable cooking, while supporting the government’s clean cooking agenda.

The company has already invested over Sh2.8 billion in the project and is now seeking Sh40 billion from various development partners to reach 1.5 million Tanzanians over the next three years. SmartPika aims to supply 100,000 cookers each month.

Additionally, the technology provides users with a detailed message after cooking, showing the electricity used, the time spent, and a comparison of costs when using other energy sources.

NDF Managing Director Satu Santala, who visited the factory, expressed her satisfaction with the technology. “We have come to see this technology, which has been selected for funding due to its promotion of clean cooking energy. We are exploring ways to provide additional funding to ensure the product reaches more people,” she said.

Ms Santala praised Tanzania’s progress in promoting clean energy, adding that the NDF is keen to support initiatives that reduce smoke emissions and protect the environment.

SNV Netherlands Development Organization’s Energy Sector Leader, Ms Frances Bishop, also lauded the project. She noted that the eCookers align with Tanzania’s policies on clean cooking and the transition to electric cooking. "I am pleased to see the innovation behind the cookers," she remarked.

The project is seen as a significant step toward addressing energy challenges and promoting sustainable cooking solutions in Tanzania.