Tanzania's clean cooking energy drive gains momentum

Dodoma. Entrepreneurial opportunities in clean cooking energy, small loans, user-friendly technologies, education, and support will actively and efficiently support the country's energy transition initiative.

Vice President Philip Mpango outlined the above five issues Saturday on March 9 in Dodoma during the inauguration of the Women's Forum on Clean Cooking Energy.

Stemming from a national discourse initiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in November 2022, the forum serves as a pivotal continuation.

Speaking during the event blessed by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy minister Dotto Biteko, the Vice President said, “Pertaining to the first point, which is entrepreneurial opportunities in the clean cooking energy value chain, the conference should specify how these opportunities will be communicated to ensure that our youth can seize them by becoming self-employed and thus achieving economic empowerment through this campaign.

“The motivation provided should encompass environmental funding opportunities, including carbon trading, to build capacity among citizens and benefit from this business,” he said.

Addressing the cost of accessing clean cooking energy, which has remained a barrier to many low-income households, Mpango appealed to financial institutions and stakeholders to support the implementation through small loans, savings groups, or women's cooperatives using the fundraising mechanism to ensure mothers can afford domestic appliances.

“I urge the Minister for Finance to consider revising tax rates for clean cooking energy appliances, particularly starting with the upcoming budget,” he explained.

He further added that the availability of user-friendly technologies supporting clean energy use is crucial to driving and enhancing the adoption of clean cooking energy, which will enable citizens to choose technologies that they can afford.

“As you are aware, climate change is a process that often encounters obstacles. Changes resulting from the use of dirty energy sources sometimes face resistance due to a lack of the clear understanding of this concept. Therefore, it is crucial to make sufficient efforts to ensure that communities are educated and empowered to comprehend the use of clean energy,” he elaborated.

Mr Mpango also urged the private sector to support and contribute to the campaign to eliminate the use of dirty energy by investing in research, innovation, and the production of clean and affordable cooking energy.

At the same time, he stated that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had made three significant decisions including the formation of a national committee to oversee the implementation of the clean cooking energy agenda; the establishment of the Clean Cooking Energy Fund to provide subsidies enabling low-income citizens to afford gas; and the promotion of the use of clean cooking energy in government institutions serving more than 100 people per day.

During the event, the President made a live phone call and pledged to ensure that this area receives budgetary allocations to support the availability of clean cooking energy.

“As you know, in the fifth month, we are going to seek funding for clean energy in Africa. In my pledge, I will carry the flag for my country to the best of my ability in the matter of clean cooking energy,” she said.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Doto Biteko shared that if women can champion the agenda, others will likely follow suit.

“I appeal to all men to take responsibility and ensure that every homemaker adopts the use of clean cooking energy,” he explained.

The Chairperson of the Tanzania Women's Union (UWT), Ms Mary Chatanda, emphasised that women would play a key role in promoting the use of clean cooking energy in various communities.