DEPUTY Prime Minister and Energy Minister Dr Doto Biteko has said that Tanzania will lead promotion of clean cooking agenda in Africa that seeks to achieve the target of 300 million people across the continent using clean cooking energy by 2030.

Biteko made the remarks while speaking at the African Energy Dialogue Forum for ministers, a two-day meeting held in Dar es Salaam, organized by the Ministry of Energy in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB).

He noted that efforts to reach this goal have garnered support from AfDB and the World Bank, which back the clean cooking energy initiative in Africa.

He stated that AfDB selected Tanzania to host the dialogue because the country has made significant progress and achieved success in the energy sector compared to other African nations working with the bank.

During the meeting, various topics were discussed, with the primary objective being to establish concrete plans to ensure that 300 million people in Africa will be using clean cooking energy by 2030 which is just six years away.

“This meeting is also part of preparations for the African Heads of State Summit scheduled for 2025 which is to be hosted by President Samia Suluhu Hassan who champions clean cooking energy agenda for Africa,” he said.

He added that African presidents will convene in Tanzania to discuss energy issues across the continent, including ensuring that 300 million people in Africa have access to clean cooking energy.

The meeting will also focus on developing strategies to make clean cooking energy accessible, reliable and affordable so that every citizen can benefit.

Biteko emphasized the importance of the meeting for Tanzania, especially in the energy sector, noting that the country has undergone significant transformation in energy production, with reliable electricity access. 

“Our pride is that this honour did not come by chance but as a result of strong diplomatic relations between our country, AfDB and the World Bank as well as our progress in policy management, energy production, transmission, distribution and rural electrification,” he said.

Dr Kelvin Kairuki, AfDB Vice President, said the bank in collaboration with the World Bank will continue to work with Tanzania because it is at the forefront of implementing the clean cooking energy agenda.

He added that the decision to hold the presidential summit in Tanzania is also a show of support for President Samia’s efforts in promoting clean cooking energy agenda and her leadership on the issue for African nations.