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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has commended Tanzania for its bold strategies to accelerate the use of clean cooking energy, highlighting the government’s removal of taxes and provision of subsidies on cooking equipment, including gas cylinders and improved stoves, alongside nationwide public awareness campaigns.
Speaking at the Ministers’ Dialogue on Sustainable Energy during SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (23–27 February 2026), Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Salome Makamba, said the country aims to achieve 80% adoption of clean cooking energy by 2034, with the National Energy Special Plan targeting 75% coverage by 2030.
Salome noted that the government has prioritized institutions serving large groups, such as prisons, military camps, schools, and major markets, by equipping them with clean cooking energy systems a move she described as innovative and highly impactful.
She added that Tanzania has electrified all 12,318 villages on the mainland, raising electricity access to 85.5%. The country’s energy generation capacity currently stands at 4,437 megawatts and is expected to reach 8,000 megawatts by 2030.
SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, applauded Tanzania for leading efforts in promoting clean cooking energy across the region, driving positive social, economic, and environmental changes.
The celebrations were officially opened by Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Constantino Chiwenge, who underscored the importance of African countries harnessing renewable energy resources to advance sustainable development.