Tanzania’s Rural Energy Agency (REA) is leading a nationwide campaign to dispel misconceptions that clean cooking energy is prohibitively expensive compared to traditional fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
The agency’s efforts highlight technological advances that have reduced costs and improved efficiency, aligning with the government’s broader environmental and public health goals.
At the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, REA’s Director of Rural Electrification, Engineer Jones Olotu, emphasized that modern clean cooking technologies offer cost-effective alternatives to biomass fuels.
“The belief that clean cooking energy particularly electricity is more expensive than firewood is outdated and inaccurate,” Olotu said.
“Today’s advanced electric stoves consume significantly less power, reducing operating costs while maintaining cooking speed and food quality.”he added
REA is actively showcasing these innovations, encouraging Tanzanians to experience firsthand the benefits of clean cooking solutions.
The agency is also implementing targeted programs to accelerate adoption, including the distribution of subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and efficient cookstoves that use minimal charcoal or firewood as transitional fuels.
The push dovetails with directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan aimed at transitioning public institutions feeding more than 100 people toward sustainable energy sources.
REA has rolled out clean cooking technologies across 211 correctional facilities nationwide, encompassing prisons, staff housing, schools, and healthcare centers.
Distributed technologies include biogas systems, LPG, natural gas, and briquette production machines.
Beyond environmental impact, the initiative addresses critical public health challenges. According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, approximately 33,000 deaths annually are linked to smoke inhalation from traditional cooking fuels.
REA positions clean cooking energy as a key strategy to reduce these fatalities and improve respiratory health nationwide.
While the transition from biomass fuels is gradual, REA’s approach balances immediate needs with long-term sustainability by providing efficient cookstoves designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The agency is also building capacity among stakeholders, including training 280 prison officers on clean energy management.
Tanzania’s clean cooking campaign reflects a growing regional and global focus on sustainable energy adoption as a pathway to economic development, health improvement, and environmental conservation.
REA’s work signals the government’s commitment to driving this energy transition while addressing entrenched cultural and economic barriers.