Dar es Salaam – In a historic step toward sustainable energy use, the Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) and UK International Development, has launched Tanzania’s first-ever National eCooking Awareness Campaign.

The landmark initiative is a central component of the UKAid-funded MECS eCooking Scale and Support Programme, which is helping Tanzania transition from traditional biomass-based cooking methods to modern electric cooking (eCooking).

The campaign aligns with the recently launched National Clean Cooking Strategy 2024–2034, which aims to achieve 80 percent clean cooking adoption by 2034. Its immediate goal is to raise awareness about the benefits of eCooking among 80 percent of urban and peri-urban Tanzanians by November 2025.

Angellah Kairuki, Special Advisor to the President on Clean Cooking and Community Development, emphasized the campaign’s transformative potential:

“Tanzania’s transition to clean cooking is not merely an energy issue — it sits at the intersection of public health, environmental protection, economic empowerment, and gender equity. For decades, our communities have borne the burden of traveling long distances for firewood and charcoal, exposing them to respiratory illness, deforestation, and poverty.

With the launch of this national campaign, we are taking a bold step toward transforming how Tanzanians cook — leveraging our expanding electricity network and the new Clean Cooking Strategy to promote modern, affordable, and sustainable solutions. This is about giving every household, especially women and children, a chance at a healthier and more dignified life.”

Dr. Anna Clements, MECS Lead Researcher in Tanzania, highlighted the value of promoting clean technologies in ways that fit local lifestyles: “We’re excited to support Tanzania as it explores new ways to cook that offer more convenience and cleaner alternatives while respecting familiar traditions. As electricity becomes more accessible and appliances more intuitive, more households can discover the benefits of modern cooking methods that fit seamlessly into daily life. Our work is about creating an environment where those choices become easier and more appealing.”

Speaking on behalf of UK International Development, UK High Commissioner Marianne Young stressed that clean cooking is key to broader development objectives:

“This campaign marks an important moment for Tanzania’s energy and health goals. It encourages people to consider how small shifts in cooking habits can bring big improvements — not by changing what they cook, but by offering options that are better for their families and the environment. We invite everyone — communities, media, and partners — to join in spreading awareness and supporting this positive transition.”

The campaign will use a city-based activation model, beginning in Dar es Salaam before expanding to other urban centres. It will include public demonstrations, community engagement, local champion networks, and targeted media outreach to show how electric cooking can be safer, more affordable, and more sustainable for Tanzanian households.