Joseph Isangura
The Government of Tanzania has rolled out a decade-long strategy to modernize cooking practices across the country, focusing on replacing traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal with cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
The National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024–2034) aims to have 80 percent of the population adopt these solutions by 2034, with a particular focus on bustling meat roasting markets.
The initiative seeks to address multiple challenges. Traditional cooking methods are a leading cause of deforestation and contribute to indoor air pollution, which disproportionately affects women and children. By transitioning to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, and improved cookstoves, the government hopes to improve public health, protect the environment, and empower communities economically.
Meat roasting markets, which rely heavily on open fires fueled by charcoal, are central to this transition. Officials plan to gradually phase out these traditional practices while providing access to cleaner alternatives. “This strategy is about more than energy—it’s about sustainability, safety, and dignity for every Tanzanian,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Energy.
The strategy also aligns with Tanzania’s broader commitments to climate action and sustainable development goals, addressing both environmental protection and social equity. By reducing reliance on firewood, the country aims to conserve forests and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
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The Rural Energy Agency (REA) is leading the implementation, partnering with local authorities, private sector actors, and international programs such as the CookFund initiative. These collaborations aim to make clean cooking technologies more accessible and affordable, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities.
Community engagement is also key. Residents are being trained on how to safely operate LPG stoves and biogas systems, while local entrepreneurs are encouraged to provide solutions tailored to market needs. This approach ensures that the strategy is not just top-down, but rooted in local participation and practical solutions.
Experts emphasize that the transition to clean cooking has broad benefits. Improved stoves reduce indoor air pollution, which is linked to respiratory diseases, and decrease the workload of women and children who traditionally collect firewood. Environmentally, the shift contributes to forest conservation and supports Tanzania’s climate goals.
