DAR ES SALAAM: IN recognition of Tanzania efforts to promote clean cooking energy, various Heads of State and Energy Ministers are set to meet in Dar es Salaam to discuss energy issues, providing an opportunity to assess the country’s progress in implementing the initiative.
The summit will begin on January 27 with a meeting of Energy ministers from participating countries.
It will conclude on January 28 with the gathering of Heads of State and will be presided over by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sport and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Gerson Msigwa said the summit will take place in Tanzania in recognition of the country’s efforts to promote clean cooking energy, a campaign,which is spearheaded by President Samia.
He said: “This summit is taking place in Tanzania for one main reason, Tanzania has made great strides in driving clean energy agenda and these leaders prefer to hold events like this where there are already significant achievements.” Mr Msigwa was speaking during his visit to Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN) headquarters at Tazara, Dar es Salaam on Friday.
He said the Heads of State and Energy ministers will be meeting in Tanzania because of the country’s good performance in the energy sector.
“The country is well recognised in the distribution of electricity, there is a significant success in the campaign led by President Samia to encourage Tanzanians to use clean cooking energy,” said Mr Msigwa.
The PS noted that due to the substantial progress made, Tanzania is promoting the use of clean energy, various campaigns are ongoing, which also contribute to environmental conservation.
He said so far, more than 15 Heads of State have confirmed their attendance at the summit along with their delegations.
Furthermore, Mr Msigwa highlighted significant strides that have been made in the energy sector, especially in electricity distribution, where over 12,270 villages have been connected to electricity, with only 40 villages remaining.
He explained that out of 64,000 hamlets, 36,000 have already been electrified and the government is committed to completing the remaining ones to ensure that all Tanzanians have access to electricity.
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He expressed gratitude to President Samia for her efforts in championing clean cooking energy at a time where the world is speaking of environmental conservation.
He said the government is doing everything in its powers, including collaborating with stakeholders and the private sector to provide subsidies for gas cylinders and raise awareness about the benefits of using clean energy to help many Tanzanians move away from wooden biomass.
The summit is an opportunity for governments, private sector leaders, development partners and civil society to advance the ambitious goal of providing electricity access to 300 million people by 2030 – known as Mission 300 – a target announced by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group in April 2024
