Access to clean cooking energy in Tanzania has increased significantly, rising from 6.9 percent in 2021 to 23.2 percent in 2025 more than tripling within just four years.
The Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, said the progress demonstrates the strong commitment of the Sixth Phase Government to improving the daily lives of citizens by ensuring access to clean, safe, and affordable cooking energy.
He emphasized that the shift away from firewood and charcoal is protecting public health, conserving the environment, and supporting economic growth.
Minister Ndejembi made the remarks on February 18, 2026, while speaking at a High-Level Ministerial Dialogue organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris.
He noted that Tanzania has placed clean cooking energy at the center of its sustainable development priorities.
He explained that the progress has been driven by strong political leadership and the implementation of commitments from the First Africa Clean Cooking Energy Summit, where Tanzania helped mobilize USD 2.2 billion in pledges to expand clean cooking solutions across Africa.
The Minister stressed that the Government’s focus is now on translating policy into real impact, particularly in rural areas where many households still depend on firewood and charcoal for daily cooking.
He highlighted that in May 2024, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, officially launched the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy 2024–2034.
The strategy provides a clear roadmap to coordinate policies, regulations, financing, and private sector participation to ensure more households can afford and access clean cooking technologies.
“In the current financial year, the Government plans to distribute 200,000 improved cookstoves and 450,000 LPG gas cylinders at subsidized prices,” said Minister Ndejembi.
“We are also piloting a system that allows citizens to pay for electric cooking appliances through electricity bills issued by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), reducing the burden of upfront costs.”
He added that the Government has banned the use of firewood and charcoal in institutions serving more than 100 people, including schools and health facilities, as part of efforts to protect public health and reduce environmental damage caused by indoor air pollution.
Minister Ndejembi also encouraged Tanzanians to view clean cooking energy as an opportunity for economic empowerment, noting its potential to create jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance of cooking equipment.
He reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to working closely with development partners, investors, and communities to ensure clean cooking energy reaches more citizens in a sustainable way, while contributing to climate action and improved living standards.
According to the IEA, Africa can achieve universal access to clean cooking energy by 2040, but this will require consistent annual investments of around USD 2 billion.