Reflections on CookFund awards to Tanzanian innovators in clean cooking

DAR ES SALAAM: CLEAN cooking has emerged as a global priority in the fight against climate change, public health crises and energy poverty and Tanzania is stepping up as among regional leaders in this movement.

Thanks to a growing number of bold initiatives, including the recent highprofile Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, the country is accelerating its clean cooking revolution.

The summit not only showcased Tanzania’s commitment to sustainable energy but also celebrated the power of homegrown innovation.

With over 25 African heads of state, senior officials from international development institutions, and key players from both the private and public sectors in attendance, the event placed Tanzania’s local ingenuity and clean energy leadership firmly on the continental stage.

Nine individuals and companies were awarded cash prizes for demonstrating the power of innovation in transforming clean cooking practices in Tanzania through the CookFund Innovation Challenge, which was part of the Mission 300 – Africa Energy Summit.

These winners, with their groundbreaking solutions, aim to contribute to Tanzania’s climate change commitments by increasing the share of the population with access to sustainable cooking solutions and moving the country closer to meeting the goal of 80 per cent of households adopting clean cooking solutions.

The Innovation Challenge is an initiative under the CookFund Programme, a five-year (2021 – 2026) initiative established by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with the government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Energy and implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Tanzania. Launched on November 25, 2024, the challenge, which had 24 shortlisted applicants, focused on innovations in stove and fuel technology, financing of cooking solutions, and behavioral change approaches solutions that have the potential to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions in Tanzania.

The announcement of the winners in Dar es Salaam during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit gathering underscores the strategic inclusion of local innovation in Tanzania’s sustainability and clean energy agenda.

With over 25 heads of African states and key officials from international development institutions, as well as public and private sector actors in attendance, the awards serve as a testament to the country’s commitment to fostering homegrown solutions that drive the clean energy transition and expand access to sustainable cooking technologies.

Given the volume of applications that exceeded our expectations and the successful outcome of the Clean Cooking Innovation Challenge, UNCDF appreciates the support and collaboration of partners, including the European Union, the government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Energy, COSTECH and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

By leveraging the tangible outcomes and success stories, UNCDF will continue to engage with other stakeholders to establish frameworks for cooperation to promote scalable innovations and sustainable clean cooking solutions in Tanzania and across the East Africa region.” said Mr Peter Malika, Chief Technical Advisor, UNCDF Tanzania, Chief Technical Advisor, UNCDF Tanzania.

The awarding ceremony, graced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, celebrated women innovators as key contributors to Tanzania’s clean cooking transition.

Neema Walter was recognised for her pioneering process that converts plastic waste into clean cooking gas and refined oils, addressing both waste management and energy access challenges.

Mercy Chilumba’s Mkombozi Project, which utilises music and media to promote awareness of clean cooking, was honoured for its creative approach to driving behaviour change.

I Link Limited, trading as Mama Mia’s Soko, was acknowledged for developing an online marketplace that connects consumers with clean cooking products, improving accessibility to sustainable solutions.

Electric cooking solutions featured prominently in the Challenge, reflecting their increasing importance in Tanzania’s transition to cleaner energy.

Smartpika Limited, a women-led company, was recognised for its Electric Pressure Cooker, paired with a PayAs-You-Go (PAYGO) system, which makes modern cooking appliances more accessible and affordable for households.

Atukuzwe Nkya from Arusha was celebrated for his institutional induction stove, an electric cooking solution designed and built in Tanzania with potential to transition public institutions towards electric cooking.

These innovations align with the government’s broader electrification efforts, which have connected over 90 per cent of the country’s regions, as well as discussions at the Mission 300 Summit on leveraging electricity for clean energy solutions.

Biogas and biomassbased solutions were also recognised, highlighting their vital role in Tanzania’s clean cooking transition, particularly for low-income households requiring affordable and easily adaptable alternatives.

In this category, Samson Mwakapoma was commended for his advanced biogas production system, which integrates flue gas filtering to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

Chabri Energy Company Ltd of Mwanza was acknowledged for its Kunismart Gasifier Cookstove, a high-efficiency biomass stove that enhances fuel combustion and lowers emissions.

M-Pikka Limited was also recognised for its refillable 400g LPG canisters, a cost-effective and practical solution for households transitioning to clean cooking solutions.

The Innovation Challenge highlights the growing momentum towards sustainable cooking solutions in Tanzania by recognising groundbreaking technologies that bridge affordability, accessibility, and environmental impact.

The initiative supports the country’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, improving public health, and making clean cooking accessible to all Tanzanians.