Tanzania seeks media support in advancing the clean cooking’s target of 80 percent

MOROGORO: THE Tanzanian government has called on journalists and communication officers to use their professional platforms to accelerate the implementation of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, as Tanzania targets 80 per cent clean cooking adoption by 2034.

Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba made the call when opening a capacity-building workshop for journalists and communication officers from ministries, government institutions and regional administrations on reporting and promoting clean cooking energy.

She said achieving the country’s clean cooking agenda will require more than investment in technology, stressing that effective communication is equally vital in changing public attitudes and encouraging wider adoption of clean cooking solutions.

Additionally, Ms Makamba said clean cooking energy is currently used by 28.6 per cent of households nationwide, describing the progress as encouraging but noting that greater efforts from all stakeholders are needed to achieve the national target of 80 per cent by 2034.

“Journalists have a unique responsibility to dispel misconceptions, raise public awareness and encourage the use of clean cooking energy through factual news reports, programmes and evidence-based digital content,” she said.

The Deputy Minister also directed government communication officers to integrate clean cooking messages into their institutions’ communication plans and strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Energy in public awareness campaigns.

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She noted that clean cooking energy directly contributes to better public health, environmental conservation, family welfare, employment creation, investment and sustainable development, making every stakeholder an important ambassador for the national agenda.

Ms Makamba urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to produce high-quality content that will encourage more households to adopt clean cooking technologies and support the successful implementation of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy.

In retrospect, Emanuel Muro,, the CookFund Project Manager at the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), said the media and government communicators are critical partners in dispelling misconceptions surrounding clean cooking technologies, particularly concerns over the cost of adoption.

He said many Tanzanians remain hesitant to switch to clean cooking energy because of perceived high upfront costs, making it essential for communicators to provide factual information on the costs, benefits and financing opportunities available.

Mr Muro said the five-year CookFund project, worth 19.4 million euros, has significantly contributed to expanding the use of clean cooking energy by stimulating consumer demand and improving access to clean cooking solutions for end users.

He noted that the project has been implemented in Dar es Salaam, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma and Mwanza regions, supporting efforts to increase the adoption of clean cooking technologies across the country.

According to Mr Muro, the project’s achievements have been driven by strong collaboration between UNCDF and the Ministry of Energy, which has helped deliver nationwide awareness campaigns highlighting the health, environmental and economic benefits of clean cooking energy.