The African Union (AU) is set to formally recognise the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, as a continental champion for clean cooking energy, in acknowledgement of her leadership in advancing sustainable energy access across Africa.
The decision follows strong endorsement by ministers responsible for energy and transport from AU member states during their 5th meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 30 April 2026. Tanzania was represented by the Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, who led the country’s delegation.
The ministers commended President Samia for her consistent efforts in promoting clean cooking energy solutions both nationally and internationally, noting that her leadership has helped accelerate policy reforms, partnerships and investment mobilisation aimed at expanding access to safer and cleaner cooking technologies across the continent.
They further observed that her advocacy has contributed to growing global attention on the need to transition millions of African households away from harmful traditional cooking fuels, which continue to pose serious health and environmental risks, particularly to women and children.
Speaking during discussions on the African Clean Cooking Energy Programme, Minister Ndejembi said Tanzania’s progress in the sector is a direct result of strong political commitment from the highest level of leadership.
He said President Samia has placed clean cooking energy among national development priorities, integrating it into long-term planning frameworks, including Tanzania’s Vision 2050. According to him, this has helped strengthen coordination across sectors and attract wider support from development partners.
On the international stage, President Samia has been among key African leaders advocating for clean cooking energy at major global forums, including the COP28 climate conference in 2023 and the Africa Clean Cooking Energy Summit held in Paris in 2024.
The Paris meeting attracted commitments worth more than 2.2 billion US dollars to support clean cooking initiatives in Africa.
Following the AU ministerial recommendations, which originated from technical-level engagements within the continental body, President Samia is expected to be formally confirmed and announced as the African Union Champion for Clean Cooking Energy during the forthcoming AU Heads of State and Government Summit.
The recognition is expected to strengthen Africa’s collective efforts to expand access to affordable, safe and sustainable cooking energy, while positioning clean cooking as a central pillar of the continent’s energy transition agenda.
