New scheme powers electric cooking, EV transition

DODOMA: THE Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has launched a nationwide clean energy programme that will enable households to acquire electric cooking stoves through affordable instalments while rolling out 50 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country.

The initiative follows the signing of agreements between TANESCO, international technology firm AUTEL Intelligent Technology Corp. Ltd and clean cooking stove suppliers aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean energy solutions nationwide.

Under the arrangement, households will be able to acquire approved electric cooking stoves through an innovative financing model known as On-Bill Financing (OBF), which allows customers to repay the cost gradually through electricity purchases using LUKU prepaid meters.

The programme is expected to remove one of the major barriers that has prevented many households from switching to electric cooking despite having access to electricity.

Speaking after witnessing the signing ceremony in Dodoma, Minister for Energy Deo Ndejembi said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to implementing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s clean energy agenda through practical solutions that directly benefit citizens.

He said many Tanzanians have long expressed willingness to use electricity for cooking but were discouraged by the upfront cost of acquiring electric stoves.

“This programme offers a practical solution. Citizens will now be able to obtain electric cooking stoves through affordable financing arrangements and repay gradually through their electricity purchases,” he said.

Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania has become the first country in the world to implement the On-Bill Financing model for electric cooking on a national scale, describing the move as a major milestone in promoting clean energy use.

He said the initiative will significantly reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood, improve public health, protect forests and reduce deaths associated with prolonged exposure to smoke from traditional cooking fuels.

The minister also said the country is opening a new chapter in the use of electricity in the transport sector through the development of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles.

As part of the programme, TANESCO has signed an agreement with AUTEL for the construction of 50 EV charging stations at TANESCO offices across the country.

Mr Ndejembi said the stations will support the growing number of electric vehicles already operating in Tanzania while helping to lower transport costs and reduce environmental pollution.

“The world is moving towards a green economy. Countries investing in clean energy today will be more competitive tomorrow. Tanzania has chosen to be an active participant in this transformation,” he said.

TANESCO Managing Director Lazaro Twange said the initiative forms part of the implementation of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy 2024–2034, which aims to ensure that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.

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He said the electricity sub-sector has been assigned a target of contributing 20 per cent towards achieving that goal.

Mr Twange added that owners of electric vehicles and tricycles will be allowed to charge free of charge for one month at the newly launched charging station as part of efforts to encourage wider adoption of clean transport technologies.

Meanwhile, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Tanzania, Mr Shigeki Komatsubara, said Tanzania has received 50 EV chargers through the partnership between TANESCO, AUTEL and UNDP.

He said the charging network will be deployed in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, Arusha and Morogoro, laying the foundation for a national electric mobility ecosystem.

“The first charging station inaugurated today marks an important milestone in Tanzania’s journey towards modern, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport,” he said.

Mr Komatsubara added that the chargers form part of a broader regional programme deploying 100 electric vehicle charging stations across Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Samwel Massawe, the Business Manager of Zera Company, noted a significant surge in public interest toward electric vehicles (EVs) since the rollout of charging stations earlier this year.

He also commended the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) for its proactive steps in expanding charging infrastructure across various regions.

On his part, Atukuzwe Wilson, the Managing Director of Positive Cooker, urged the government to consider lowering taxes on clean energy cooking stoves to make them affordable for a wider population.

Mr Wilson pointed out that various taxes account for approximately 32 percent of the total cost of these stoves.

He emphasized that this high tax burden drives up retail prices, making it difficult for end-users to adopt clean cooking solutions.