The Rural Energy Agency (REA) has pledged its full commitment to supporting the government’s ambitious target of ensuring that 80 percent of Tanzanians transition to clean cooking energy by 2034.
This commitment aligns with the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy Use, which places REA among key institutions responsible for driving access to clean and safe energy solutions, particularly in rural areas.
Speaking on July 7, 2025, at the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), REA Director General, Eng. Hassan Saidy, outlined the agency’s ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing dependence on traditional biomass such as firewood and charcoal currently used by an estimated 96 percent of rural households.
“REA’s mandate goes beyond electricity access. It includes facilitating access to all forms of modern energy in rural areas clean cooking energy, petroleum products, and diesel through various projects that are either completed or underway,” Eng. Saidy explained at the agency’s pavilion.
He noted that the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy Use is a critical government roadmap, calling for a shift to clean cooking for the majority of Tanzanian households within the next decade. According to him, REA is actively rolling out programs to support that shift.
Among the measures being implemented are awareness and education campaigns to help communities understand the health, environmental, and economic risks of traditional cooking fuels, as well as the benefits of modern alternatives.
“Many still perceive clean cooking technologies as expensive, but this perception is not entirely accurate,” he noted.
“Modern technologies have been designed to reduce energy waste, making them more efficient and ultimately more affordable for users.”he added
He further argued that the true cost of traditional fuels should consider the time spent gathering firewood and the risks involved factors often overlooked by households.
Eng. Saidy also extended his appreciation to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership and unwavering support in the clean energy agenda.
“We are grateful to President Samia for empowering REA to carry out its role effectively. Her leadership has been key in positioning clean cooking as a national priority,” he said.
One of the notable achievements under this initiative has been the rollout of subsidized LPG cylinders. So far, the government has distributed approximately 452,000 six-kilogram cylinders with a 50 percent subsidy across all mainland regions.
This is in addition to 110,000 units that were supplied two years ago through Members of Parliament to their respective constituencies.
In a parallel initiative, REA has facilitated a full transition to clean cooking energy across all 129 prison facilities in the country. The agency has also launched a program to extend access to prison officers and their families.
“President Samia directed that all institutions serving more than 100 people must adopt clean cooking energy. We are implementing this directive and expect to reach over 400 institutions this financial year, starting with prisons, National Service (JKT), and 53 schools,” Eng. Saidy added.
Additionally, REA is running a concessional loan scheme to support entrepreneurs in constructing and operating rural fuel stations, thereby enhancing access to petroleum and diesel products in underserved communities.
Through these multifaceted interventions, REA is positioning itself as a strategic driver in Tanzania’s energy transition ensuring no rural household is left behind in the shift toward clean, sustainable energy for all.