Tanzania is making significant strides toward achieving clean cooking access, with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and other stakeholders.
Over 90 percent of Tanzanians still rely on solid biomass fuels and inefficient cookstoves, leading to deforestation and severe health risks.
Firewood and charcoal remain the primary sources of cooking energy, disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear the burden of collecting firewood and suffering from indoor air pollution.
"Women and girls are tasked with collecting firewood, often walking long distances. This not only exposes them to safety risks but also denies them opportunities for education and economic engagement," said Mr. Ronald Tran Ba Huy, WFP Country Director and Representative in Tanzania.
The country loses an estimated 469,000 hectares of forest annually due to agricultural expansion, charcoal burning, and firewood collection.
Additionally, over 10 million Tanzanians suffer from respiratory illnesses caused by inefficient cooking methods, leading to more than 33,000 deaths each year.
In response to these challenges, the Government of Tanzania, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, launched the National Clean Cooking Strategy 2024-2034 in May 2024. The strategy aims to achieve 80 percent clean cooking access by 2034, with a particular focus on institutions that serve more than 100 people, such as schools.
"Schools are key to shifting towards clean cooking solutions, and WFP is committed to supporting this transition and collaborating with governments to explore carbon financing options for clean cooking," Mr. Huy emphasized.
Also read: Here are three key aspects you should consider when using clean cooking energy
With over 17,600 government primary schools and more than 11 million students, integrating clean cooking into school feeding programs is essential.
WFP, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC), is launching a clean cooking project in 50 schools across Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Tabora, and Kigoma regions.
Funded by the UK FCDO's Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) program and WFP's Innovation Accelerator, the project will introduce efficient electric pressure cookers, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by over 40,000 tonnes.
"This project marks a critical step toward sustainable school feeding programs that align with Tanzania's clean cooking objectives. The first model e-cooking school kitchen will be established at Kibasira Primary School in April," said Mr. Huy.
The initiative also aligns with the government's broader efforts to promote nutritious school meals while mitigating environmental harm. By transitioning to clean cooking, schools can reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, cutting costs and improving health outcomes for students and staff.
School cooks, such as Nepoda Jeremiah from Kigunga Primary School, understand the challenges of relying on firewood.
"We have been using firewood since we started cooking for the students," Nepoda said.
"Every week, we spend an average of TZS 70,000 on firewood, which amounts to a significant expense over a year," she added.
The school, which serves over 1,000 students daily, faces difficulties securing firewood, particularly during the rainy season.
"When the firewood gets wet, it becomes difficult to cook on time. Sometimes, the trucks bringing firewood get stuck in the forests, delaying our supply," she explained.
She urged the government and clean energy advocates to provide a more affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly energy solution.
"We burn a huge amount of firewood to prepare food for the students every school day," she stressed.
"I urge the government and clean energy advocates to connect us to a sustainable energy source—one that is cost-effective, readily available, and safe for both our health and the environment," she recommended.
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development in Tanzania through support for clean cooking initiatives aimed at improving public health and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at a Clean Cooking Workshop held at Likwati Primary School on March 27, 2025, British High Commissioner Marianne Young emphasized the importance of transitioning to cleaner cooking technologies to reduce health risks and combat deforestation.
"Today's event is more than just a discussion—it is an opportunity to take meaningful steps toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all," she said.
She highlighted the dangers of traditional cooking methods that rely on charcoal and firewood, noting that indoor air pollution poses severe health risks, particularly to women and children.
The UK, in collaboration with the Tanzanian government, WFP, and private sector stakeholders, is supporting solutions such as electric pressure cookers, energy-efficient stoves, and alternative fuels.
These technologies not only reduce household costs in the long run but also cut emissions and lessen environmental degradation.
Through partnerships with WFP, SEforALL, and the MECS program, the UK is working to expand clean cooking solutions to 50 schools, benefiting over 2,500 students across Tanzania.
Ms. Young stressed that this initiative is not just about technology but about people, particularly children and women, who are disproportionately affected by traditional cooking practices.
"It is about ensuring that children in schools, like the ones here today, have access to nutritious meals cooked in safe, clean, and sustainable ways. It is about empowering women by providing them with the tools and knowledge to embrace modern cooking solutions," she added.
The workshop brought together government representatives, development partners, and stakeholders committed to advancing clean energy access in Tanzania. Discussions focused on scaling up clean cooking solutions and ensuring their affordability and accessibility for communities across the country.
A school feeding program in Temeke is playing a crucial role in implementing guidelines set by the President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) and the Ministry of Education. The initiative aligns with the 2007 Health Policy, the 2014 Education and Training Policy, and the 2016-2017 National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan.
According to Mr. Lumuli Mwasembe, a project coordinator for Temeke municipal council, the municipality has a total of 174 primary schools, of which 88 are government-owned.
"We have 189,238 students, and among them, 155,699 receive meals at school, accounting for 84 percent," he said.
The cost of food is covered through contributions from parents and guardians, in collaboration with school committees.
"Meals are prepared within the school premises by cooks who have special agreements with school committees. The cooking energy used is mainly firewood and charcoal," he added.
To enhance nutrition and sustainability, the Temeke Municipal Council has promoted school gardening.
"Many schools are now engaged in vegetable farming to supplement school meals and improve dietary diversity. Through these gardens, students also learn about sustainable agriculture and the importance of nutritious food," Mr. Mwasembe noted.
Despite progress, challenges remain, including food fund collection, cooking infrastructure, lack of clean energy, budget constraints for nutrition training, and occasional food shortages.
"The use of firewood and charcoal also poses environmental risks, causes health hazards due to smoke, and increases costs for parents," he pointed out.
To address these challenges, the Temeke Municipal Council is promoting the use of clean cooking energy, strengthening food contribution management, improving kitchen infrastructure, providing training for stakeholders, and raising community awareness on the importance of school feeding programs.
As Tanzania moves forward with its clean cooking agenda, collaboration between the government, development partners, and local communities remains key to achieving long-term success.