Tanzania ups clean cooking drive with subsidised gas cylinders

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing policies and creating an enabling environment that will facilitate private sector participation in ensuring affordable access to clean cooking energy across Tanzania.

Speaking in Muheza District, Tanga Region, during her ongoing working tour, President Hassan emphasised that the availability of subsidised gas cylinders is a critical step toward achieving the government’s goal of ensuring that 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.

“We have started providing subsidies to gas processing companies to stabilise prices in the long run. Additionally, we are offering a 50 percent subsidy on gas stoves, with buyers covering the remaining 50 percent,” President Hassan stated.

She further explained that the distribution of gas cylinders is part of a broader strategy to enhance clean cooking adoption nationwide, safeguarding both the environment and public health.

“Our primary focus is to protect our environment and the health of our people, especially women, who are the most affected by harmful cooking fuels.

The use of firewood and charcoal has devastating consequences, leading to deforestation and respiratory diseases. This is why we are pushing for widespread adoption of clean energy sources,” she stressed.

Tanzania’s energy roadmap includes increasing electricity connectivity to 75 percent by 2030 and achieving 80 percent clean cooking energy access by 2034.

Currently, less than 10 percent of the population uses clean cooking energy, but President Hassan remains optimistic that with the current momentum, the target could be achieved even earlier.

“At the moment, we are below 10 percent, but given the pace of implementation, I am confident that we will reach our goal before 2030,” she assured.

To sustain this progress, she directed the Ministry of Energy to ensure effective execution of the clean energy strategy and urged the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to intensify efforts to expand electricity access to all villages and hamlets by 2030.

“The government will continue formulating policies and enacting laws that accelerate the implementation of this strategy. If we persist in relying on firewood and charcoal as our primary cooking fuels, we will inevitably face environmental degradation, including severe deforestation and the depletion of water sources,” she warned.

Tanzania is naturally endowed with abundant gas reserves and coal, both of which are pivotal in the clean cooking energy transition. President Hassan highlighted that urban areas like Dar es Salaam would receive a 20 percent subsidy on gas cylinder purchases, reflecting economic zoning considerations.

Deputy Minister for Energy Judith Kapinga provided further details on the government’s subsidy initiative, revealing that 452,445 subsidised gas cylinders worth approximately Sh8.64 billion would be distributed across the country under this programme.

“Tanga Region alone will receive 26,400 cylinders, with Muheza District allocated 3,255 cylinders. The total value of cylinders distributed within Tanga stands at Sh455.7 million,” she said.

The partnership with private sector companies has also played a significant role in the initiative, leading to rapid growth in the clean energy sector.

“Previously, gas companies experienced revenue growth of 10 to 11 percent annually. However, over the past two years, this growth has surged to between 50 and 60 percent annually, demonstrating the increasing demand for clean cooking solutions,” Ms Kapinga noted.