On March 14, 2025, Dr. Doto Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy of Tanzania, met with Ms. Tariye Gbadegesin, the Executive Director of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), in Bridgetown, Barbados.
This meeting was part of the ongoing International Conference on Sustainable Energy for All (Energy For All), which brings together global leaders to discuss the importance of providing everyone with access to clean and sustainable energy.
During the meeting, Dr. Biteko and Ms. Gbadegesin discussed ways to improve cooperation between Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy and CIF.
Their main focus was on helping rural areas in Tanzania access clean cooking energy. In many of these areas, people still use traditional cooking methods such as firewood or charcoal, which can harm the environment and health.
The government of Tanzania is determined to help people switch to cleaner energy sources.
Dr. Biteko explained that the Ministry of Energy is committed to promoting clean energy across the country.
He pointed out that this effort is part of Tanzania’s broader goals to protect the environment, improve public health, and boost economic development.
One of the Ministry’s key priorities is making sure rural areas have access to affordable, efficient clean cooking technologies that can reduce the harmful effects of using traditional fuels like wood and charcoal.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of international partnerships in achieving the goal of providing clean energy for everyone.
CIF is an important partner for Tanzania in this effort because it provides funding for climate-related projects.
With support from organizations like CIF, Tanzania hopes to increase the use of clean cooking solutions and expand access to renewable energy sources in rural and off-grid areas.
Dr. Biteko also mentioned that the Ministry of Energy is working to create policies that encourage investment in clean energy.
These efforts include making regulations easier to follow, improving energy infrastructure, and supporting local businesses that can produce and distribute clean energy technologies.
He also stressed that working with the private sector is key to driving innovation and ensuring that clean energy solutions are used widely across the country.
In addition to discussing future plans, the meeting was an opportunity for Tanzania to share the progress it has already made in the clean energy sector.
The country has made great progress in using renewable energy sources like solar power and hydropower, and it is also looking into other energy sources like geothermal and wind power.
However, Tanzania still faces challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring that everyone, particularly in rural areas, has access to energy.
Joining Dr. Biteko in the meeting were other key Tanzanian officials, including Angellah Kairuki, the President’s Adviser on Clean Energy and Social Development; Felchesmi Mramba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy; and Humphrey Polepole, the Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba and Representative to the Caribbean region.
These leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening international partnerships and securing funding for clean energy projects in Tanzania.
At the Energy For All conference, Tanzania aims to build more partnerships with international organizations and the private sector to speed up the transition to clean energy.
The country’s goal is to ensure that all Tanzanians, especially those in rural areas, have access to affordable and clean energy by 2030, as part of the global goal to provide clean energy for all.
The meeting with CIF is an important step toward achieving these goals. Tanzania looks forward to working closely with CIF and other partners to make these plans a reality.
