Tanzania moves to establish special fund to bolster the nationwide use of clean energy

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government plans to establish a Special Clean Cooking Energy Fund to enable youth and women’s groups in every local government authority to access capital for establishing and expanding the production of improved cookstoves and alternative charcoal.

Energy Minister Juma Homera said the fund is part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directives aimed at expanding the use of clean cooking energy in the country, reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal derived from tree cutting, and creating more employment opportunities for citizens.

Speaking to journalists at State House in Dar es Salaam today, while providing feedback on President Samia’s visit to Türkiye and Tanzania’s participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), Mr Homera said the fund would enable citizens to participate directly in the clean cooking energy value chain.

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He said under the initiative, each local government authority would have youth and women’s groups financially empowered to produce improved cookstoves and alternative charcoal for cooking purposes.

The minister explained that the initiative would increase access to clean cooking technologies, protect the environment, address climate change and create employment opportunities. He also urged the private sector to seize available opportunities by partnering with the government.

Mr Homera said the government aims to ensure that 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034, in line with President Samia’s commitment.