Policy harmonisation vital for clean cooking drive

DAR ES SALAAM: HARMONISING policies and regulations will be critical to accelerating Tanzania’s shift to clean cooking, stakeholders have said, warning that fragmented approaches could slow progress towards the country’s ambition of a healthier, greener and more energy-secure future.

Speaking during the Interministerial Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Cooking Solutions held in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, the participants stressed the need for stronger coordination among government institutions, the private sector and development partners.

They said policy reforms, improved inter-ministerial collaboration and increased private sector investment are essential to achieving Tanzania’s target of ensuring that 80 per cent of the population adopts clean cooking solutions by 2034.

Opening the dialogue on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, Director of the Clean Cooking Unit, Mr Nolasco Mlay, said the country has made significant progress in expanding access to clean cooking technologies, but reaching the national target requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.

“The country has made encouraging progress, but achieving our target requires coordinated action from all stakeholders,” Mr Mlay said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024–2034), launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which aims to reduce reliance on traditional cooking fuels, improve public health, conserve forests and promote sustainable economic development.

Mr Mlay said a supportive policy and regulatory framework is necessary to attract investment and expand access to affordable clean cooking solutions.

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“We need supportive policies, effective regulations, innovative financing and a conducive business environment to accelerate adoption across the country,” he said.

He added that the dialogue was designed to produce practical recommendations to strengthen implementation of the National Clean Cooking Strategy.

Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (TAREA) Chairman, Dr Prosper Magali, called for greater consistency among existing policies, cautioning that conflicting strategies could undermine efforts to achieve clean cooking goals.

He pointed to differences between the National Charcoal Strategy Action Plan, which supports sustainable charcoal production and the National Clean Cooking Strategy, which seeks to reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood.

“These strategies are complementary in intent but often conflict in implementation. Our task is to align them so they work together,” Dr Magali said.

He noted that charcoal remains a significant contributor to the economy, accounting for about 44 per cent of the forestry sector’s GDP, generating more than one billion US dollars annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of livelihoods.

Dr Magali said harmonised policies would help Tanzania accelerate its clean cooking transition while protecting livelihoods, attracting investment and ensuring sustainable energy access for all citizens.