DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) has urged stakeholders, including clean energy technology manufacturers, to submit recommendations that can help improve policies and tax measures aimed at accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector.
The call was made during a dialogue organised by TPSF in collaboration with Kengo Limited and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), which reviewed the implementation of this year’s national budget and its contribution to advancing clean energy in Tanzania.
Speaking during the meeting, TPSF Research, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Mercy Philipo, said the private sector continues to work closely with the government and other stakeholders to support the national target of ensuring that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean energy by 2034.
He said stakeholders’ recommendations are essential in identifying policy and regulatory gaps that need to be addressed to create a more enabling environment for investors, manufacturers and consumers. Currently, an estimated 28 per cent of Tanzanians use clean energy.
“TPSF, as the representative of the private sector, is a member of the committee that submits policy recommendations to the government every October. We therefore encourage stakeholders to provide proposals on areas requiring improvement to make the clean energy sector more attractive to investors and more affordable for consumers,” Philipo said.
He commended the government for implementing some of the private sector’s recommendations, including the removal of import duties on smart meters used to monitor gas consumption, a measure that has helped reduce costs in the sector.
“While we appreciate the removal of duties on some of the products we proposed, there are still other items, including gas cylinder accessories and fittings, that require tax relief to further lower costs for consumers,” he said.
Philipo identified reducing the cost of clean energy equipment as one of the sector’s key priorities, saying affordable technologies would encourage wider adoption among households.
He also called for increased investment in local industries manufacturing clean energy products, including improved cooking stoves, noting that expanding domestic production would promote industrial growth and create employment opportunities.
In addition, he emphasised the need to strengthen distribution networks to ensure clean energy technologies are accessible to more Tanzanians, particularly those living in rural areas.
One of the stakeholders, Sylvester Mwambije, said that while promoting renewable and clean energy remains essential, there is also a need to educate the public on the safe and efficient use of traditional energy sources, which continue to be widely used by many households.
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“We are often told that charcoal and firewood are harmful to the environment and human health. As we promote clean energy, it is equally important to educate people on how to use traditional energy sources more efficiently and minimise their negative impacts,” he said.
Meanwhile, UpEnergy representative Rehema Mbalamwezi called for greater investment in public awareness campaigns to increase understanding and adoption of clean energy technologies.
She noted that many households, particularly in Dar es Salaam, still rely heavily on charcoal for cooking despite the availability of cleaner alternatives.
Mbalamwezi also urged increased investment in local manufacturing of modern clean energy technologies, particularly electric cooking appliances, saying electricity remains one of the most affordable and environmentally friendly energy sources but has yet to be widely adopted for household cooking. Stakeholders agreed that stronger collaboration between the government, the private sector and citizens is essential to achieving Tanzania’s clean energy targets.
They noted that policy reforms, targeted tax incentives and sustained public awareness campaigns will be critical to increasing clean energy use nationwide by 2034.