Athletes in Tanzania have been called upon to use their influence to promote the adoption of clean cooking energy as the government pushes to ensure that 80 per cent of citizens are using clean cooking solutions by 2034.
The appeal was made by Ms Jaina Msuya, representing the Director-General of the Rural Energy Agency (REA), Eng Hassan Saidy, during an awards ceremony for stakeholders, players, referees and volleyball clubs held in Dodoma yesterday.
Ms Msuya said REA is actively implementing the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy through a range of interventions, including the distribution of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and improved cookstoves, as well as supporting institutions that serve meals to more than 100 people to shift to clean cooking energy systems.
She said the agency is working closely with various partners to ensure the strategy succeeds, noting that athletes form an important part of the wider community and can play a critical role in changing public attitudes.
“Clean cooking energy offers significant benefits, including environmental protection and improved public health. Athletes are role models, especially for young people, and their voices can help accelerate behavioural change. We therefore urge you to work with the government in encouraging communities to adopt clean cooking energy and to serve as ambassadors of this national agenda,” she said.
Ms Msuya added that the clean cooking energy drive also presents economic opportunities, particularly for young people and sports professionals, through participation in the energy value chain.
These include opportunities to become distributors and agents of clean cooking products, especially in rural areas where access remains limited.
REA is among the sponsors of the 2025 National Volleyball Championships, which were held in Dodoma and concluded on December 19, 2025.
