Tanzanian President,
Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is championing the promotion of clean cooking energy,
both in the country and on the international stage.
At the
Clean Cooking Energy Summit in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, on August 23, 2024, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, highlighted President
Samia's leadership in the global initiative.
"President
Samia has been a leading advocate for clean cooking in Africa since November
2022," Dr. Biteko said.
He
emphasized that the government's goal is to make clean cooking energy
accessible and affordable for all Tanzanians.
"By
2034, we aim for 80% of Tanzanians to be using clean cooking energy," he
added.
The
summit, organized by the Mwanamke Initiatives Foundation (MIF) and the Tanzania
Investment Bank (TIB), featured innovative technologies in clean energy. Dr.
Biteko praised the new gas cylinders with built-in meters introduced by ORXY.
"This
innovation will make it easier and more affordable for people to access clean
energy," Dr. Biteko said.
He urged
leaders from all sectors; the government, politics, religion, and traditional
institutions to support the clean cooking agenda. He also called on companies
to incorporate clean cooking energy into their Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) efforts. "We need to work together to ensure everyone has access to
clean energy," he said.
Dr. Biteko
noted that about 2.4 billion people worldwide lack access to clean energy, with
933 million in Africa.
"Every
year, 3.7 million people die from issues related to unsafe cooking, with women
and children making up 60% of these deaths," he said.
"This
is a global concern, and we must educate the public on the benefits of using
clean energy," he said.
Wanu
Hafidh Ameir, Chairperson of MIF, underscored the positive impact of clean
cooking energy on women's health and the environment.
"Clean
energy is a lifesaver for women and helps protect the environment," she
said, encouraging Tanzanians to adopt this essential resource.
The 2024
Kizimkazi Festival, where the summit was held, also included the launch of
several projects, including the Suluhu Academy grounds.