MWE Correspondent
Retired Deputy Prime Minister and Bukombe Member of Parliament, Dr. Doto Biteko, has said Tanzania has made significant progress in implementing the Clean Cooking Energy Agenda, while stressing that every Tanzanian has a responsibility to ensure the gains achieved are sustained.
Dr. Biteko made the remarks during a panel discussion on “Tanzania’s Strategic Leadership in Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable and Inclusive Energy” at a Clean Energy Dialogue organized by the Mwanamke Initiative Foundation (MIF) in Kizimkazi, South Unguja, Zanzibar.
He said the existence of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy is part of efforts championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has continued to promote the agenda at various levels of leadership and on international platforms.
Dr. Biteko said continued prioritization of clean cooking is necessary because of the significant impact of the use of polluting cooking fuels, including environmental degradation caused by dependence on firewood and charcoal. He noted that approximately 470,000 hectares of forests are lost annually in Tanzania.
He further said more than 33,000 people die every year from diseases associated with household air pollution caused by cooking, underscoring the need to accelerate the transition to clean cooking energy.
According to Dr. Biteko, the use of polluting cooking fuels also has significant gender-related impacts, particularly on women who spend considerable amounts of time collecting firewood instead of participating fully in productive and income-generating activities.
He added that children are also affected, with some losing valuable study time because they are required to help their families collect firewood for cooking.
During the discussion, Dr. Biteko emphasized the importance of conducting regular assessments to determine the sustainability of clean cooking energy adoption, particularly after communities have been supported to access the necessary technologies and infrastructure.
He said such assessments would enable the government and stakeholders to identify existing challenges, measure progress and develop stronger strategies for expanding and sustaining the use of clean cooking energy across the country.
Dr. Biteko also commended the Mwanamke Initiative Foundation (MIF) for its contribution to the Clean Cooking Energy Agenda through various initiatives, including supporting access to infrastructure and organizing dialogues that bring stakeholders together to discuss ways of accelerating the adoption of clean, safe and sustainable cooking energy in Tanzania.
