Investor ResourcesCountriesTanzania
Overview
60.8M (92%)
Clean cooking population without access (World Bank, 2023)
Tanzania’s clean cooking sector is undergoing a significant transformation aimed at addressing health, environmental, and economic challenges associated with traditional cooking methods.
As of recent assessments, a vast majority of Tanzanian households rely on biomass fuels for cooking, with approximately 84.8% of rural households and 17.4% of urban households using firewood. Annually, around 469,420 hectares of forests are destroyed for firewood and charcoal production.
To combat this, the Government of Tanzania has launched the National Clean Cooking Strategy (NCCS) 2024-2034, targeting an 80% adoption rate of clean cooking solutions among Tanzanians by 2034.
Supply
Demand
According to World Bank data, 9.2% of the population had access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking in 2022 – an improvement on the ratio of 8.1% with access in 2021. In 2022, 20% of the urban population had access to clean cooking fuels, compared with just 2% of the rural population.
Compared with access to clean cooking fuels and technologies, there is better access to electricity in Tanzania: 45.8% of the population had access in 2022, up from 42.7% in 2021.
While there has been progress in increasing access to electricity, particularly in urban areas, the adoption of clean cooking fuels and technologies remain low, especially in rural regions. These figures underscore the ongoing challenges and efforts in improving energy access in Tanzania, highlighting the need for continued investment and policy focus, particularly in rural areas
Policy
Click ‘Read more’ to explore relevant aspects of Tanzania’s Nationally Determined Contributions and other current policies that are relevant to clean cooking.
Nationally Determined Contributions
Tanzania’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted in 2021, places a strong emphasis on clean cooking as a key strategy for both climate change mitigation and sustainable development. The country has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30–35% by 2030 relative to a business-as-usual scenario. A significant portion of this reduction is expected to come from the energy and forestry sectors, where the widespread use of biomass for cooking is a major source of emissions and deforestation. Transitioning to clean cooking technologies is therefore seen as essential to achieving Tanzania’s climate targets.
In the energy sector, the NDC outlines plans to scale up the adoption of clean cooking solutions, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), improved biomass stoves, biogas, ethanol, and electric cooking. These technologies offer a pathway to reduce household reliance on woodfuel and charcoal, both of which contribute to indoor air pollution and forest degradation. The NDC further acknowledges that tackling these issues will require supportive policies, public-private partnerships, and accessible financing mechanisms to ensure that clean cooking options are both affordable and widely adopted.
Beyond emissions reduction, clean cooking is positioned in the NDC as a solution with significant co-benefits. From a public health perspective, reducing exposure to household air pollution will lower the incidence of respiratory diseases and premature deaths, particularly among women and children. The transition also has gender and social equity implications, as it relieves women and girls of the time and physical burden associated with collecting firewood—opening up opportunities for education and income generation. In rural communities, improved access to clean cooking enhances resilience by reducing dependence on increasingly scarce biomass resources.
The importance of clean cooking has also been reinforced by the government’s launch of the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy (2024–2034), which aims to increase clean cooking access from the current 10% to 80% by 2034. This strategy supports the implementation of the NDC through actions such as fiscal incentives for clean cooking technologies and the enforcement of standards for institutional cooking in schools and hospitals.
However, Tanzania’s ability to realize these clean cooking ambitions is heavily dependent on international support. The NDC highlights the need for financial resources, technology transfer, and capacity building to accelerate progress. In this way, clean cooking is not only a mitigation priority—it is a cross-cutting development strategy that aligns with national goals for health, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and energy access.
Tax and Tariff Data
This table shows Tanzanian duty and VAT levels for clean cooking items:
| Regional Trade Areas | Official designation | Tax or tariff | Tax rate (dutiable vs. duty paid) |
| EAC, SADC | Electricity | MFN import duty | 0.00% |
| EAC, SADC | Electricity | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Electricity | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Electricity | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol or higher | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol or higher | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol or higher | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol or higher | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Kerosine | MFN import duty | 0.00% |
| EAC, SADC | Kerosine | VAT | 18.00% |
| EAC, SADC | Kerosine | Other taxes and tariffs: Excise Duty | TZS 425 per litre |
| EAC, SADC | Kerosine | Other taxes and tariffs: Petroleum Levy | TZS 100 per litre |
| EAC, SADC | Kerosine | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Propane | MFN import duty | TZS 228 per kg(Liquidified) TZS 12 per kg (Gas) |
| EAC, SADC | Propane | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Propane | Other taxes and tariffs: Fuel Levy | TZS 513 per litre(Liquidified) TZS 80 per kg (Gas) |
| EAC, SADC | Propane | Other taxes and tariffs: Petroleum Levy | TZS 100 per litre |
| EAC, SADC | Propane | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 2% |
| EAC, SADC | Propane | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Butane | MFN import duty | TZS 228 per kg(Liquidified) TZS 12 per kg (Gas) |
| EAC, SADC | Butane | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Butane | Other taxes and tariffs: Fuel Levy | TZS 513 per litre(Liquidified) TZS 80 per kg (Gas) |
| EAC, SADC | Butane | Other taxes and tariffs: Petroleum Levy | TZS 100 per litre |
| EAC, SADC | Butane | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Butane | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons — Liquefied | MFN import duty | 0% |
| EAC, SADC | Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons — Liquefied | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons — Liquefied | Other taxes and tariffs: Excise Duty | TZS 228/kg |
| EAC, SADC | Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons — Liquefied | Other taxes and tariffs: Fuel Levy | TZS 513/Litre |
| EAC, SADC | Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons — Liquefied | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons — Liquefied | Other taxes and tariffs: Petroleum Levy | TZS 100 per litre |
| EAC, SADC | Fuelwood – Non-coniferous | MFN import duty | 0% |
| EAC, SADC | Fuelwood – Non-coniferous | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Fuelwood – Non-coniferous | Other taxes and tariffs | 0% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood Pellets | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood Pellets | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood Pellets | Other taxes and tariffs | 0% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood briquettes | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood briquettes | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood briquettes | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Wood briquettes | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms – other | MFN import duty | 5% |
| EAC, SADC | Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms – other | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms – other | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms – other | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, other wood | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, other wood | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, other wood | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, other wood | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of bamboo | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of bamboo | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of bamboo | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.5% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of bamboo | Other taxes and tariffs: Destination Inspection Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of shell or nut | MFN import duty | 0% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of shell or nut | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of shell or nut | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Charcoal, of shell or nut | Other taxes and tariffs: Destination Inspection Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for gas fuel or gas + other fuels — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry. | MFN import duty | 10% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for gas fuel or gas + other fuels — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry. | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for gas fuel or gas + other fuels — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry. | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for gas fuel or gas + other fuels — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry. | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for liquid fuels — With a maximum of two burners | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for liquid fuels — With a maximum of two burners | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for liquid fuels — With a maximum of two burners | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, for liquid fuels — With a maximum of two burners | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, including for solid fuels | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, including for solid fuels | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, including for solid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Cooking appliances and plate warmers, including for solid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for gas or gas+ | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for gas or gas+ | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for gas or gas+ | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for gas or gas+ | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for liquid fuels | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for liquid fuels | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for liquid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for liquid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Customs Processing Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Other appliances — for solid fuels | Other taxes and tariffs: Destination Inspection Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Microwave ovens | MFN import duty | 25% |
| EAC, SADC | Microwave ovens | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Microwave ovens | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Microwave ovens | Other taxes and tariffs: Destination Inspection Fee | 0.60% |
| EAC, SADC | Other ovens; cooking stoves, ranges, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry | MFN import duty | 10% |
| EAC, SADC | Other ovens; cooking stoves, ranges, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry | VAT | 18% |
| EAC, SADC | Other ovens; cooking stoves, ranges, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry | Other taxes and tariffs: Railways Development Levy | 1.50% |
| EAC, SADC | Other ovens; cooking stoves, ranges, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters — Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry | Other taxes and tariffs: Destination Inspection Fee | 0.60% |
Carbon
Tanzania has 23 cookstove projects registered. These projects have generated 1.4 million carbon credits to date.
Click ‘Read more’ to explore more.
- Total Credits Issued: 1,446,926
- Total Credits Retired: 285,397
- Number of Projects: 23 (18 Gold Standard + 5 Verified Carbon Standard)
- Count of Project Developers: 12
Source: Voluntary Registry Offsets Database (Berkeley Carbon Trading Project)
Results Based Finance
Click ‘Read more’ to explore the table of Results Based Finance projects
| Name | Lead | Status | Dates | Applicable Fuels | Fund size for clean cooking | Total fund size |
| CookFund Programme | United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) | Completed | 2021-2024 | LPG, Biomass stoves | €1.3m | €17m |
| Rural Energy Agency(REA) Subsidy | Rural Energy Agency (REA) | Active | Improved cookstoves, electric cooking | Not disclosed | $4m | |
| Tanzania Clean Cooking Project (TCCP) | Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) | Active | 3 Years | $3.75 | $3.75 | |
| Modern Cooking Facility for Africa | Nefco (Nordic Environment Finance Corporation) | Active | Ethanol, Electric Cooking | €16m | €16m |
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