Makamba calls for women’s fully involvement in clean energy with 10bn/-  set aside for it

DODOMA: WOMEN and youth in the country have been urged to seize emerging opportunities in the clean cooking energy sector as the government steps up investment to expand access, innovation, and green enterprise development.

Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, made the call today, June 1, 2026,  when attending a fundraising event for the Mwalimu Nyerere Women’s Group in Dodoma, saying the sector remains largely untapped, especially in rural areas.

She said the low adoption of clean cooking solutions presents a major opening for citizens to engage in awareness creation, technological innovation, and production of alternative energy products such as improved and eco-friendly charcoal.

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“I urge your group to closely look at this area and use available opportunities to improve members’ livelihoods while also supporting government efforts to protect the environment,” Makamba said.

Reinforcing the government’s commitment to the clean energy agenda, the deputy minister revealed that the Ministry of Energy has set aside 10bn/- in the 2026/2027 financial year to support research, promote innovation in clean cooking technologies, enhance public education, and strengthen collaboration with the private sector.

In addition, she said 3bn/- has been allocated as subsidies for young entrepreneurs, women, and persons with special needs to boost production of alternative charcoal and improved cookstoves.

She further urged women and youth groups to organise themselves into formal associations to benefit from the funding window, stressing that the initiative is designed to empower communities economically while accelerating the country’s transition to cleaner cooking solutions.