To accelerate the momentum of the clean cooking revolution, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in collaboration with the Tanzanian government and the European Union, inaugurated the Eastern Africa Regional Clean Cooking Energy Symposium in Arusha.
The event brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss strategies for advancing clean cooking, under the theme “Linking finance, innovation, technology adoption, access, and policy.”
The three-day regional symposium convened over 200 key stakeholders, including senior government representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda, and Tanzania, development partners, SMEs, researchers, financial institutions, and civil society organizations.
This gathering underscored a shared regional commitment to addressing the critical issue of clean cooking in East Africa, where the prevalent use of traditional biomass fuels like wood and charcoal poses significant health risks, contributes to environmental degradation, and exacerbates climate change.
In his keynote address, delivered on behalf of Dr. Dotto Mashaka Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Eng. Innocent Luoga, Commissioner of Electricity and Renewable Energy, emphasised that the Clean Cooking Agenda is a top national priority for President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has taken an active leadership role in championing clean cooking across the continent, particularly through the launch of the African Women Clean Cooking Support Program.
”This symposium serves as a platform for new ideas and regional collaboration on the clean cooking agenda” he said.
The symposium aligns with Tanzania’s National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024–2034), which aims to ensure that 80% of Tanzanians adopt clean cooking solutions by 2034.
This ambitious goal addresses the pressing need to reduce reliance on traditional cooking methods that contribute to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and adverse health outcomes.
Mr. Peter Malika, UNCDF Chief Technical Advisor, highlighted the symposium’s significance:
“This regional symposium is a valuable platform for learning, sharing, and collaboration. We are highlighting opportunities in the clean cooking value chain, promoting cooperation, and advancing the adoption of clean cooking as a primary objective of a regional conference such as this one.”
Throughout the symposium, participants will engage in discussions on blended finance mechanisms, leveraging private sector investments, establishing standards and certification to ensure quality and consumer confidence, exploring carbon credit opportunities, and sharing best practices and innovations in clean cooking technologies and market delivery approaches.
WN/as/APA