Samia allocates 452,445 gas cylinders in nationwide clean energy campaign

TANGA: THE Tanzanian government has allocated 452,445 worth 8.64bn/- in President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nationwide clean energy campaign.

Speaking in Muheza, on Thursday during her tour of the Tanga region, President Samia has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enacting policies and laws that facilitate private sector participation in providing affordable clean cooking energy to citizens.

She emphasized that the implementation of the Clean Cooking Energy Policy, which aims to ensure 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2030, is currently below 10 percent since its launch in 2024.

However, she assured that the government is taking significant steps to achieve this goal before the set deadline.

President Samia made these remarks on Thursday in Muheza District, Tanga Region, while launching a nationwide subsidized gas cylinder distribution program, which includes 452,445 gas cylinders worth 8.64bn/-.

“I urge the Ministry to continue overseeing this program effectively, and REA (Rural Energy Agency) should persist with this strategy. As a government, we will continue to enact policies and laws that accelerate this initiative,” she said.

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The program is part of the government’s broader efforts to implement the clean cooking energy policy. Of the 452,445 cylinders distributed, 26,400 have been allocated to Tanga Region, with 3,255 specifically designated for Muheza District, amounting to 455.7m/- in value.

Under this program, the government subsidizes 50 percent of the cost for rural areas, according to the REA regulations, while urban areas receive a 20 percent subsidy. President Samia explained that the subsidy distribution was carefully planned based on the economic factors of the specific areas.

She urged all beneficiaries to continue using the gas stoves even after their initial gas supply runs out, assuring them that new refilling stations will be established nationwide through ongoing discussions with private sector stakeholders.

“Those who have received these gas stoves, please use them. Don’t let the cylinders sit in your houses like furniture once the gas runs out. I have spoken with private sector players, and they have assured me they are setting up refilling stations to ensure continued use,” she stated.

Deputy Minister for Energy, Judith Kapinga, highlighted that the government, in collaboration with the private sector, is offering loans to distributors to establish gas refilling stations in rural areas and facilitate distribution.

“We are involving the private sector to expand access and ensure more citizens benefit. The private sector has been a top priority in driving this agenda forward,” Kapinga said.

Acting Director-General of the Rural Energy Agency (REA), Eng Advera Mwijage, said the initiative is part of various government projects under REA aimed at achieving the clean energy policy.

She outlined ongoing projects, including the first phase of distributing six-kilogram gas cylinders, which is already 97.8 percent complete.

The second phase, launched today, includes subsidized gas cylinders that come with a burner and a stove, with rural beneficiaries paying 15,000/- per set.

Additionally, the government, in partnership with the World Bank, is implementing a 15.2bn/- improved cookstove distribution project, with 4,200 stoves already distributed.

Another project involves the construction of natural gas infrastructure worth 6.82bn/-, where REA is collaborating with STAMICO to ensure access to alternative charcoal sources.