The Rural Energy Agency (REA) and Mzinga Corporation have signed a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating access to clean and affordable cooking energy for rural communities across Tanzania.
The agreement, signed in Morogoro, focuses on strengthening research, technology development, production, and distribution of clean cooking solutions, including improved cookstoves and alternative charcoal made from agricultural waste.
The collaboration is part of ongoing national efforts to reduce reliance on traditional biomass energy sources such as firewood and charcoal, which continue to dominate household cooking in many rural areas.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chairman of the Mzinga Corporation Board, Ambassador Lieutenant General (Rtd) Charles Lawrence Makakala, said the initiative will ease the burden faced by rural women, who are often responsible for collecting firewood and preparing meals under challenging conditions.
He noted that the current situation exposes women and children to health risks caused by indoor smoke, while also consuming valuable time that could be used for education and income-generating activities.
“This initiative will directly support rural women who have long struggled to access safe cooking energy. It will also help improve health, protect the environment, and strengthen household welfare,” said Makakala.
The Chairman of the Rural Energy Board (REB), Ambassador Major General (Rtd) Jacob Kingu, said the partnership will boost the production of eco-friendly charcoal made from crop residues and promote the use of affordable improved cookstoves.
He said these efforts will make clean cooking solutions more accessible to ordinary citizens, especially in rural communities where energy alternatives remain limited.
On his part, the Director General of REA, Engineer Hassan Saidy, said the agreement will improve the availability of clean cooking technologies at affordable prices, with the goal of increasing their use across the country.
He said current statistics show that only one in four Tanzanians uses clean cooking energy, adding that the new partnership is expected to significantly raise adoption levels through increased production and distribution.
Mzinga Corporation Director General, Brigadier General Engineer Seif Athuman Hamisi, said the collaboration will also focus on research and innovation to improve the efficiency of cookstoves and the quality of alternative charcoal.
He said the goal is to ensure that clean cooking technologies are practical, affordable, and suitable for everyday use in rural households.
The partnership is expected to support Tanzania’s clean energy transition agenda by reducing pressure on forests, improving public health, and promoting sustainable energy use.
It is also anticipated to create long-term benefits for households by reducing fuel costs, improving living conditions, and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
