Tanzanians have been urged to embrace clean cooking energy through Rafiki briquettes, an alternative charcoal produced by the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), in support of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s national clean energy agenda.
The call was made today, January 24, 2026, by the Chairman of the Rural Energy Board (REB), retired Major General Ambassador Jacob Kingu, during a visit to the Rafiki Briquettes Clean Energy Factory in Kisarawe.
He was accompanied by REB members and management from the Rural Energy Agency (REA). Ambassador Kingu emphasized the importance of scaling up production so that every household in Tanzania can access safe, clean, and affordable cooking energy.
“This initiative, championed by President Samia, is designed to empower women to move away from using unsafe and polluting fuels. We are committed to turning this vision into reality,” said Ambassador Kingu.
He noted that the collaboration between REA and STAMICO in clean cooking energy projects aims to achieve 80 percent national coverage by 2034, according to the 2024–2034 strategy.
REA Director General, Mr. Hassan Saidy, highlighted ongoing partnerships with stakeholders to expand production, availability, and distribution of alternative charcoal to ensure the clean energy strategy meets its goals.
REB Board Member Sophia Mgonja praised STAMICO for producing quality alternative charcoal at the Rafiki Clean Energy Factory and encouraged households and businesses to adopt it, making the initiative sustainable and accessible to all Tanzanians.
STAMICO Acting Director, Mr. Baraka Manyama, said the Rafiki Briquettes project has contributed to environmental protection while creating jobs for women, youth, and local communities.
In a related development, the government, through REA and STAMICO, has signed a TZS 4.5 billion contract to build a new factory in Geita to produce Rafiki briquettes, which is currently under construction.