The growing use of clean cooking energy is opening new job opportunities across Tanzania, especially in the production of alternative charcoal and the machines used to make it.
Nolasco Mlay, Director of Clean Cooking Energy at the Ministry of Energy, highlighted the progress during a visit to Wazalendo Movement Institute in Mkuranga District, Pwani Region.
The institute specializes in producing alternative charcoal and manufacturing machines for its production.
Mlay noted that institutions serving over 100 people are increasingly shifting to clean cooking energy, pushing demand for alternative charcoal higher and calling for faster production.
“I commend the team for producing alternative charcoal and the machines that make it. This is a huge opportunity for Tanzanians, but it is crucial that the products are of high quality and durable, even when transported long distances,” Mlay said.
Deusdedit Malulu, Senior Engineer at the Rural Energy Agency (REA), stressed the need to work closely with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to ensure alternative charcoal meets the required quality standards.
He encouraged producers to register with the NEST system to access business opportunities and noted that REA plans to support citizens in producing machines to increase availability of alternative charcoal equipment.
Saidi Malema, Executive Director of Wazalendo Movement, said the institute has launched a clean cooking energy group focused on producing alternative charcoal from maize cobs and dry grass. The institute also produces machines that operate both with and without electricity.
He added that the institute’s Clean Energy Art Group educates communities about clean cooking energy through drama and music.
Wazalendo Movement has sold machines to stakeholders in Tabora, Singida, and Pwani, and continues to distribute small machines to villages in Mkuranga where electricity is not yet available, encouraging the adoption of clean cooking energy.
During the visit, Mlay also toured Matima Investment, a company producing gas-powered barbecue stoves, to observe how innovative technologies are promoting clean cooking energy in Tanzania.