The Tanzanian government has officially launched the first phase of a major clean cooking energy project, aimed at improving health, safety, and efficiency in institutions that serve more than 100 people.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, inaugurated the program on 17 February 2026 at Kondoa Girls’ Secondary School in Dodoma, marking the school as the first institution to benefit from the initiative.
This phase includes 52 secondary schools and one VETA college across 18 regions of mainland Tanzania.
The project is part of a larger government initiative to equip 453 institutions with modern cooking energy systems at a total cost of TZS 25.8 billion, fully funded through the Rural Energy Agency (REA).
It involves the installation of LPG gas systems, customized stoves, and alternative charcoal systems made from sugarcane residues.
The first phase will benefit 53 institutions, while the second phase will cover the remaining 400 institutions nationwide.
Makamba emphasized that the project aligns with the government’s vision, led by President Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to ensure that all institutions serving over 100 people adopt clean cooking energy.
She called on local governments, the Ministry of Education, and PMO-RALG to maintain the systems to ensure sustainability and inspire other public institutions to follow suit.
The initiative is expected to bring multiple benefits to citizens, including improved health through reduced smoke exposure, protection of the environment by cutting deforestation, and savings in time and costs for institutions.
Women and girls, who previously spent hours collecting firewood, will now have more time for education and productive activities.
The project also encourages the private sector to explore opportunities in producing and distributing clean cooking energy, increasing accessibility while reducing costs for households.
Salome urged REA to expand the program to markets, bus terminals, and fairs, which serve large numbers of citizens daily.
Teachers and students are encouraged to become ambassadors of clean energy by forming school clubs that promote safe cooking practices within families and communities.
Parliamentary representative Jonas Mbunda praised the initiative, highlighting its positive impact on public health and the environment.
REA officials explained that unsafe cooking energy has historically contributed to deforestation, health risks, and lost productivity, affecting thousands of Tanzanians every year.
At Kondoa Girls’ Secondary School, a one-ton LPG tank now serves the cooking needs of the school for about two months, complemented by the alternative charcoal system.
School headmistress Ms. Flora Nusu thanked the government, noting that the project will significantly reduce health risks for cooks, save time previously spent collecting firewood, and lower operational costs by nearly 40 percent.
The launch of this project represents a major step forward in providing clean, safe, and sustainable cooking energy to Tanzanian institutions and their communities, benefiting both people and the environment.