Clean cooking energy is increasingly becoming an engine for both social and economic transformation, with innovations like Smart Firewood opening doors to affordable energy, new investments, and job creation across communities.
This was observed during a visit by the Ministry of Energy’s Director of Clean Cooking Energy, Mr. Nolasco Mlay, to Chabri Energy Company Limited’s Smart Firewood plant in Kitumba Village, Magu District, Mwanza, on August 29, 2025.
The factory produces clean charcoal and firewood made from wood residues, offering households and institutions an alternative to gas and electricity.
Mr. Mlay noted that the growing adoption of such technologies demonstrates that clean cooking energy is more than just gas and electricity.
He emphasized that industries like Chabri Energy not only provide affordable solutions but also generate employment for young people, boosting local economies.
“Clean cooking energy is a real opportunity. It creates jobs, attracts investment, and supports the livelihoods of many families,” Mr. Mlay said.
Chabri Energy Director, Mr. Bernard Makachia, explained that the demand for Smart Firewood has been rising sharply as awareness spreads.
The company currently supplies nearly 50 schools and several prisons in the Lake Zone, reducing costs for institutions that rely heavily on cooking fuel.
Mr. Makachia said the innovation is not only cost-effective but also helps address environmental concerns by utilizing wood residues.
He added that the expansion of clean cooking alternatives is shifting community perceptions, proving that affordable options exist beyond gas and electricity.
“This initiative has allowed communities to embrace affordable clean cooking solutions while saving money and reducing dependence on expensive fuels,” he said.
The rise of local innovations such as Smart Firewood signals a broader transformation in Tanzania’s clean energy landscape, where communities are beginning to see energy not just as a necessity but also as a driver of economic opportunity.
