Tanzania has reported remarkable progress in expanding access to clean cooking energy, more than tripling availability in just four years, during the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) forum in Abu Dhabi.
Engineer Anita Ringia from the Ministry of Energy told the forum that access to clean cooking energy rose from 6.9% in 2021 to 23.2% in 2025, reflecting the government’s strong commitment under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to make clean energy a national priority and a pillar of Tanzania’s 2050 Development Vision.
“Clean cooking energy is no longer a distant goal; it is now a tangible reality for millions of Tanzanians,” Engineer Ringia said.
“We continue to mobilize resources from the government, private sector, and development partners to ensure that citizens have safe, affordable, and sustainable energy for cooking.”he added
Under the 2025/26 fiscal year, Tanzania is implementing several key initiatives, including the distribution of 200,000 subsidized improved cookstoves, supporting 480 electric stoves in a pilot project with TANESCO, and supplying over 450,000 subsidized LPG cylinders.
The government has also banned the use of firewood and charcoal in institutions serving more than 100 people daily, covering over 31,000 public institutions and requiring investments of more than USD 1 billion.
Private sector support has been critical. Local banks, including NMB and CRDB, have begun offering low-interest loans to clean cooking energy entrepreneurs, helping expand distribution networks nationwide.
At the IRENA forum, Tanzania highlighted investment opportunities across the clean cooking energy value chain, from local production of stoves and cylinders to innovative payment solutions such as pay-as-you-go systems and electricity bill integration.
Engineer Ringia emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to global partnerships to close the financing gap for clean cooking energy in Africa, where nearly one billion people still rely on polluting fuels.
Tanzania also shared its strides in renewable energy integration, with 68% of clean energy already feeding into the national grid.
Key projects include the 150 MW Kishapu Solar Power Plant, expected to generate 50 MW by February 2026, as well as geothermal projects in Ngozi (70 MW), Songwe (5 MW), Kiejombaka (60 MW), Natron (60 MW), and Luhoi (5 MW).
Deputy Director-General of IRENA, Gaun Singh, urged member states to accelerate renewable energy investments, targeting 11,000 GW of global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The forum is held under the theme, “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity.”
Tanzania’s achievements at IRENA highlight its leadership in promoting sustainable energy solutions, creating economic opportunities, and advancing global efforts to achieve universal access to clean energy.