Tanzanian Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, weighed in on the importance of access to clean cooking energy during the Second Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) Women’s Conference on 4th March 2026.
Dr. Dorothy reiterated the significance of clean energy to economic growth and gender equality. “Clean energy is not only an environmental agenda; it is also a health, economic and gender equality agenda. When a woman uses clean cooking energy, she gains more time to engage in productive activities, education, innovation and proper family care. Clean energy liberates women, restores dignity and opens up opportunities within society,” she stated.
The minister commended the government on its efforts towards implementing strategies that promote clean energy, including ensuring that people have access to electricity in both rural and urban areas. She also highlighted other government strategies, including encouraging people to use natural gas and electricity, as well as innovative cooking technologies.
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She cited the 2022 Population and Housing Census, which showed that about 81 percent of the population is still using charcoal and firewood as a source of fuel. However, she also stipulated that the government’s target is to ensure that 80 percent of the population uses clean cooking energy by the year 2034.
“”For many years, there has been a perception that electricity is too expensive for cooking. However, with modern technological advancements, energy-efficient electric stoves are now available at affordable prices. We must abandon the misconception that electricity is costly and take deliberate steps to promote its use for cooking,” the minister said.
In the meantime, the Managing Director of TANESCO, Lazaro Twange, said the initiative is in the process of implementing a plan that will allow Tanzanians to purchase electric cookers using the pay-as-you-go-system, which is also linked to the purchase of electricity.
TANESCO Managing Director Lazaro Twange said they are rolling out the plans to ensure that Tanzanians are able to purchase electric cookers using the pay-as-you-go-system. This initiative, which is also linked to the purchase of electricity, will help in increasing the number of people using electricity, and inturn increase te money circulation in the country.Tanzania Promotes Electric Cooking to Empower Women and Boost Economic Growth
