Following their application for funding in September last year, the businesses were selected as part of the EU-funded CookFund programme, which focuses on clean cooking technologies, primarily liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electric pressure cookers (EPC), advanced charcoal stoves. (ICS), briquettes and bioethanol.
Energy Minister January Makamba, accompanied by EU Ambassador Manfredo Fanti and UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Head Peter Malika, presented the checks to beneficiaries of the programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Makamba advised the awardees to ensure that they use the funds allocated to them to help more Tanzanians in line with the programme’s goals.
“It is good to know that this is not a loan, but a grant that you get directly in the name of our country. Therefore, ensure that the end beneficiaries actually get the intended benefits by delivering your energy products at reasonably cheap prices so that they can eliminate the use of dirty energy. Energy Minister said.
He went on to reiterate the fact that the program will ensure local citizens have access to affordable clean energy.
In response to the initiative, Tanzania’s EU Ambassador Mr. Manfredo Fanti asked that businesses show that they can get financial support and sell their clean kitchen equipment at low prices to many new customers.
Mr. Manfredo said; “These EU grants will help consumers access cheaper clean cooking systems and encourage more people to abandon polluting and environmentally harmful cooking techniques.”
He went on to add: “We hope to see a multiplier effect in the future with fewer and fewer families using firewood or charcoal for cooking, allowing them to live healthier lives free from smoke.”
CookFund is a three-year program supported by the European Union (EU) that aims to help Tanzania meet its commitment to combat climate change by increasing the population’s access to sustainable cooking options.