Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has called on African leaders to accelerate efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy and ensure the continent benefits more from its natural resources through local processing and manufacturing.
Dr Nchemba made the call on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while delivering a speech on behalf of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
He urged African leaders to make clean cooking energy a priority, highlighting its importance in improving household health, protecting the environment and reducing the challenges associated with traditional cooking fuels.
The Prime Minister said the issue was particularly important during the ongoing energy transition, adding that President Samia had continued to champion clean cooking initiatives across Africa.
He also reminded the summit of the 2025 Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, which set an ambitious target of providing reliable electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Dr Nchemba said Tanzania was ready to strengthen cooperation with international partners to improve access to reliable energy, including exploring the peaceful use of nuclear energy in partnership with Russia, which has advanced expertise in energy technology.
He noted that stronger international partnerships could help African countries develop sustainable energy systems and expand access to electricity for households, businesses and industries.
In another key message, Dr Nchemba urged international partners, including Russia, to support Africa in establishing industries that process raw materials locally instead of exporting them for manufacturing elsewhere.
He said cooperation in strategic minerals should focus on building processing plants within Africa, transferring modern technology and creating sustainable jobs for citizens.
The Prime Minister stressed that exporting raw minerals while importing finished products made from those same resources limits the economic benefits African countries can gain from their natural wealth.
“A continent that sells raw minerals and then buys back batteries manufactured from those same minerals will remain poor, regardless of the number of summits it attends,” he said.
His remarks highlighted the need for African countries to move towards value addition, enabling them to earn more from their resources, strengthen domestic industries and create employment opportunities for young people.
Local mineral processing could also open up opportunities for small businesses, suppliers, skilled workers and entrepreneurs to participate in industrial development.
For citizens, the priorities outlined by the Prime Minister offer the prospect of improved access to clean cooking solutions, better energy services, more jobs and stronger economic opportunities if the commitments are translated into practical action.
Dr Nchemba called for international partnerships that go beyond the supply of raw materials and instead help Africa develop its own industries, acquire modern technology and build a stronger foundation for long-term economic growth.