Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has secured Sh8 billion grant from the Government of Norway to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking technologies, in a move expected to expand access to modern energy, reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, create green jobs, and help curb deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.
The three-year grant, worth Norwegian Kroner (NOK) 30 million (Sh8 billion), was awarded to the Tanzania Traditional Energy Development Organization for Sustainable Development and Environmental Conservation (TaTEDO-SESO) to implement a programme that will promote clean cooking solutions in both urban and rural communities.
The funding agreement was signed on July 16, 2026, between the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania and TaTEDO-SESO as part of the two countries’ long-standing cooperation to support Tanzania’s transition to clean energy and strengthen climate resilience.
The programme, which will run from August 2026 to July 2029, aligns with the implementation of the Mission 300 Energy Compact and Tanzania’s National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024–2034), which seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on charcoal and firewood while expanding access to modern cooking technologies.
Through the initiative, households, institutions and productive sectors will gain greater access to clean cooking technologies and renewable energy solutions. The project also aims to strengthen private sector investment in clean energy, build the capacity of communities and entrepreneurs, improve evidence-based policy-making, and enhance systems for monitoring environmental, social and economic impacts.
The programme is expected to improve the lives of communities that remain heavily dependent on traditional cooking fuels by making clean cooking technologies more accessible and affordable.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Norway’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Tone Tinnes, said the partnership demonstrates her country’s continued commitment to supporting Tanzania’s efforts to expand access to sustainable energy.
“Norway will continue working with Tanzania on initiatives that promote sustainable development, address the impacts of climate change and foster inclusive economic growth through investments in the energy sector,” she said.
TaTEDO-SESO Executive Director Eng Estomih Sawe described the grant as more than financial support, saying it represents a strategic investment that will help accelerate Tanzania’s clean energy ambitions.
“This project will initially be implemented in Dar es Salaam, Pwani, Kilimanjaro and Dodoma, regions where charcoal consumption remains particularly high. Dar es Salaam, for example, relies heavily on charcoal supplied from Pwani. We want to reduce that dependence,” he said.
He said expanding access to clean cooking energy is one of the most effective ways to reduce deforestation, lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health by reducing household air pollution.
“It will also create green employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people, while strengthening community resilience to climate change,” he added.
According to TaTEDO-SESO, the project is expected to reach about 30,000 households, 250 institutions and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises.
It is also projected to create around 2,500 jobs, with at least 40 percent reserved for women. In addition, the programme is expected to reduce carbon emissions by between 60,000 and 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) over the implementation period.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to Tanzania’s broader efforts to expand access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy while supporting national commitments to climate action, environmental conservation and inclusive economic development.
