President Samia Suluhu Hassan has approved a TSh 4.5 billion investment to establish a new factory for producing alternative clean energy Rafiki Briquettes in Geita Region, as part of broader national efforts to phase out unsafe cooking fuels and scale up clean energy access.
The financing agreement, signed yesterday between the Rural Energy Agency (REA) and the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), is expected to significantly boost the supply of affordable, environmentally friendly cooking energy, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.
Of the total investment, REA will contribute TSh 3 billion to procure specialized production machinery, while STAMICO will invest TSh 1.5 billion to acquire land, construct the plant building, and install the equipment.
The agreement was signed in Dar es Salaam by REA Director General Eng. Hassan Saidy and STAMICO Managing Director Dr. Venance Mwasse, marking the fifth such facility under STAMICO’s clean energy expansion plan.
Other plants are located in Kisarawe (Coast Region), Kiwira (Songwe), Dodoma, and Tabora.
Eng. Saidy said the investment aligns with the government’s national target of ensuring that 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034, in line with the country’s clean energy roadmap and climate obligations.
“The signing of this contract is a direct implementation of President Samia’s directive for REA and STAMICO to collaborate in expanding production and distribution of clean energy for domestic use,” said Eng. Saidy.
He added that REA continues to implement complementary initiatives to increase access to clean cooking solutions, including distribution of improved cookstoves, LPG cylinders, electric stoves, and development of gas infrastructure in Lindi and Coast regions.
The agency is also supporting clean energy adoption in public institutions such as schools and hospitals.
The Geita plant will produce Rafiki Briquettes, a charcoal alternative made from compressed biomass, aimed at reducing reliance on firewood and unsustainable charcoal.
Dr. Mwasse expressed appreciation to the government and REA for the strategic support, saying it will accelerate the realization of STAMICO’s mission to drive widespread adoption of clean cooking energy by 2034.
“This initiative is part of President Samia’s broader agenda to empower women and protect the environment through safer, cleaner household energy,” Dr. Mwasse said.
He revealed that Rafiki Briquettes are already being used by 129 correctional facilities across the country, as well as units of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) and the National Service (JKT).
The briquettes have also gained traction among training colleges, boarding schools, hospitality businesses, and informal food vendors.
Dr. Mwasse stressed STAMICO’s commitment to maintaining its production infrastructure to ensure continuity, efficiency, and affordability for end users, noting the broader health, economic, and environmental benefits of clean energy.
The Geita facility is expected to begin production in 2026, contributing to national efforts to curb deforestation, reduce household air pollution, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The investment reaffirms Tanzania’s growing momentum in the transition to clean energy and positions the country as a regional example in advancing inclusive energy access and climate resilience.