The Ministry of Energy has been praised for training local government desk officers on clean cooking energy, a move set to accelerate Tanzania’s transition to sustainable energy and help the country achieve its target of 80% clean energy adoption by 2034.
Speaking at the launch of the training for officers coordinating the strategy across the Southern Highlands, Simon Parmet, Representative of the Regional Administrative Secretary of Mbeya, said the initiative comes at a critical time.
“These regions lead in forestry and tree crop production, yet firewood and charcoal use remains high. This training will equip desk officers to educate communities on the importance of adopting clean cooking energy and moving away from traditional cooking practices,” Parmet said.
Benezeth Kabunduguru, from the Ministry of Energy’s Clean Cooking Energy Directorate, emphasized that the program is ongoing, targeting desk officers across all regions to ensure they can effectively reach citizens with practical knowledge on clean cooking solutions.
“Our aim is for every officer to fully understand clean cooking energy so they can guide communities efficiently. Achieving 80% clean energy use by 2034 is our national goal,” Kabunduguru said.
Deusdedit Malulu, Senior Technical Advisory Officer at the Rural Energy Agency (REA), encouraged officers to also promote investment opportunities in the sector, including financing projects, producing improved stoves, alternative charcoal production, and forming entrepreneurial groups eligible for REA support.
The training brought together desk officers from Mbeya, Iringa, Songwe, Katavi, Rukwa, Njombe, and Ruvuma regions, strengthening local capacity to drive the clean cooking energy agenda.
