THE Association of Tanzania Oil and Gas Service Providers (ATOGS) has called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to transition to clean cooking.

ATOGS Chairperson Abdulsamad Abdulrahim made the call in Dar es Salaam yesterday during Energy Connect Conference and Exhibition, saying that only through partnerships among government, the private sector, international organisations and local communities can this agenda be achieved.

“These efforts support the nation’s ambitious goal of ensuring that by 2034, 80 percent of Tanzanian households have access to clean cooking energy. This aims to alleviate the burden of fetching firewood and reduce pollution and fatalities among women due to cooking smoke which claims millions of lives each year,” he said.

Energy Connect 2024 brought together leading experts, policymakers and innovators from various sectors, including energy, policy, academia, technology, finance and grassroots organisations, united by a common goal: advancing clean energy agenda.

He noted that the platform serves as a springboard for transformative action, emphasising the importance of fostering innovative thinking, building strategic partnerships and promoting practical solutions to accelerate efforts towards universal access to clean and sustainable energy.

“At the heart of this conference is a clear and critical vision: to provide safe, reliable and sustainable energy solutions for every Tanzanian household,” he said.

He affirmed that this ambitious target can be achieved through determination, recognising that clean energy is not just an environmental imperative but also a social and economic necessity.

Abdulrahim stated that Energy Connect 2024 was a platform for action where stakeholders must work together to ensure that communities, especially those in rural areas, are educated and empowered to make informed choices about their energy use.

“We are committed to leaving no one behind in this transition, providing the necessary resources and tools to facilitate adoption of clean cooking solutions at the grassroots level,” he said.