The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has emphasized the importance of African countries to cooperate in ensuring that citizens have access to good and clean cooking energy, a step that will improve health, protect the environment, and stimulate economic development.
Addressing the African Heads of State Conference on Energy held in Dar es Salaam, President Samia noted that Tanzania has made great strides in supplying electricity, while efforts are now moving towards the implementation of the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy.
“Our National Clean Cooking Energy Program aims to eliminate dependence on unclean and harmful energy for health. The goal is to increase the use of clean cooking energy from the current 10 percent to 80 percent by 2030,” said President Samia.
Also the President Dr. Samia said that Tanzania has succeeded in delivering electricity to all 12,318 villages and 32,827 townships. The work of delivering electricity to the remaining 31,532 neighborhoods is progressing rapidly, with the government increasing production and improving the electricity supply infrastructure.
“As we increase access to electricity, we also focus on the use of modern technologies that help reduce the use of wood and charcoal, which have become a source of environmental damage and danger to the health of women and children,” added President Samia.
In addition, President Samia mentioned Tanzania's efforts to be the center of energy supply for neighboring countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya, while efforts to connect electricity with Zambia and Uganda are in the final stages.
Previously, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Hon. Dr. Doto Biteko, when he invited President Samia to address, explained that the government's efforts have increased electricity production from 1,888 to 3,431 megawatts, a move that has strengthened Tanzania's position in running the clean energy cooking agenda.
This historic meeting, involving African leaders and development stakeholders, has concluded today January 28, 2025, discussing joint strategies to ensure African citizens have access to safe and sustainable energy.