In a significant stride towards sustainable energy and climate action, nine Tanzanian individuals and companies were celebrated for their groundbreaking innovations in clean cooking at the Africa Energy Summit.

The awards were presented as part of the "Mission 300" initiative during the summit, recognizing the power of local ingenuity to transform cooking practices across the nation.

The CookFund Innovation Challenge, a key program under the five-year (2021-2026) CookFund Programme, spearheaded by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania (through the Ministry of Energy) and implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Tanzania, culminated in the prestigious award ceremony. 

Launched on November 25, 2024, the challenge drew 24 shortlisted applicants, all focused on developing solutions to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking technologies in Tanzania. The categories included innovations in stove and fuel technology, financing mechanisms for clean cooking solutions, and effective behavioral change approaches.

The announcement of the winners in Dar es Salaam, amidst the high-profile gathering of the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, underscored the strategic importance of local innovation in Tanzania's broader sustainability and clean energy agenda. 

The presence of over 25 heads of African states, alongside key figures from international development institutions and both public and private sector actors, amplified the significance of these homegrown solutions in driving the clean energy transition and expanding access to sustainable cooking technologies.

Peter Malika, Chief Technical Advisor at UNCDF Tanzania, expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming response and the collaborative spirit of partners, including the EU, the Ministry of Energy, COSTECH, and the African Development Bank (AfDB). 

He stated, "Given the volume of applications that exceeded our expectations and the successful outcome of the Clean Cooking Innovation Challenge, UNCDF appreciates the support and collaboration of partners... By leveraging the tangible outcomes and success stories, UNCDF will continue to engage with other stakeholders to establish frameworks for cooperation to promote scalable innovations and sustainable clean cooking solutions in Tanzania and across the East Africa region."

The awarding ceremony, graced by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, prominently featured women innovators leading the charge in the clean cooking transition. 

Neema Walter received recognition for her pioneering process of converting plastic waste into clean cooking gas and refined oils, addressing both waste management and energy access. 

Mercy Chilumba’s Mkombozi Project was honored for its creative use of music and media to promote awareness and drive behavioral change towards clean cooking practices. I Link Limited, operating as Mama Mia’s Soko, was acknowledged for its development of an online marketplace, enhancing consumer access to clean cooking products.

Electric cooking solutions also took center stage, highlighting their growing importance in Tanzania's cleaner energy future. 

Smartpika Limited, a women-led enterprise, was recognized for its Electric Pressure Cooker integrated with a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) system, making modern cooking appliances more affordable. 

Atukuzwe Nkya from Arusha was celebrated for his locally designed and built institutional induction stove, poised to transition public institutions towards electric cooking, aligning with the nation's expanding electricity grid that now connects over 90 percent of its regions.

Biogas and biomass-based solutions were also lauded for their crucial role in providing affordable and adaptable alternatives, particularly for low-income households. Samson Mwakapoma was commended for his advanced biogas production system featuring flue gas filtering for improved efficiency. 

Chabri Energy Company Ltd of Mwanza received recognition for its Kunismart Gasifier Cookstove, a high-efficiency biomass stove with lower emissions. M-Pikka Limited was also acknowledged for its cost-effective and practical refillable 400g LPG canisters, facilitating the transition to cleaner fuels.

The CookFund Innovation Challenge underscores the increasing momentum towards sustainable cooking solutions in Tanzania. 

By recognizing these groundbreaking technologies that effectively bridge affordability, accessibility, and environmental impact, the initiative directly supports Tanzania's broader national goals of reducing carbon emissions, improving public health, and ensuring clean cooking access for all its citizens. The awarded innovations offer tangible pathways towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for Tanzanian households.