To Be Discussed at the Tanzania Media Innovation Forum (TMIF) 2025

Tanzania faces a significant challenge in its cooking sector, with millions of households relying on traditional biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal, and agricultural residues. While these energy sources are widely available, they contribute to health hazards, environmental degradation, and economic strain. Clean cooking initiatives have emerged as essential solutions, and reporting on these efforts is crucial for raising awareness and driving change. These initiatives will be a central topic of discussion at the Tanzania Media Innovation Forum (TMIF) 2025, where media experts and stakeholders will come together to explore how the media can amplify the impact of clean cooking solutions in Tanzania.

The Need for Clean Cooking Solutions

1. Health Benefits
Traditional cooking methods, particularly those that rely on wood and charcoal, release harmful smoke and particulate matter, which contribute to respiratory diseases and premature deaths. Clean cooking solutions, such as improved cookstoves and cleaner fuels like LPG, are vital in reducing these health risks. Reporting on these health impacts will be essential at TMIF 2025 for educating the public about the dangers of traditional methods and the benefits of cleaner alternatives.

2. Environmental Impact
The extensive use of firewood and charcoal is a major driver of deforestation in Tanzania, contributing to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. By promoting clean cooking solutions, Tanzania can reduce pressure on its forests and mitigate climate change. The media plays a crucial role in highlighting these environmental concerns, showcasing the positive impact of clean cooking solutions on conservation efforts. TMIF 2025 will explore how media can amplify these environmental narratives.

3. Economic Benefits
Traditional cooking methods are inefficient, leading to higher fuel consumption and financial burdens for households. Clean cooking technologies offer long-term cost savings and can stimulate economic growth by supporting local businesses. Reporting on the economic benefits of clean cooking, including job creation in stove manufacturing and fuel distribution, will be a key theme at TMIF 2025, shifting the narrative toward sustainable economic opportunities.

Key Clean Cooking Initiatives in Tanzania
1. Improved Cookstoves (ICS)
Improved cookstoves are designed to use less fuel and produce less smoke compared to traditional stoves. These stoves improve cooking efficiency, reduce health risks, and protect the environment. TMIF 2025 will explore how media can report on the success stories of ICS, ensuring that more Tanzanians are aware of their benefits and availability.

2. LPG and Biogas Adoption
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biogas are cleaner alternatives that offer greater efficiency and lower environmental impact. Through national strategies like the National Biomass Energy Strategy (NBES), the Tanzanian government is promoting LPG and biogas as viable options. At TMIF 2025, discussions will center around how media can help expand access to these technologies, especially in rural and underserved areas.

3. Public Awareness Campaigns
Raising awareness about the risks of traditional cooking methods and the advantages of cleaner cooking alternatives is a key part of the solution. Media coverage can drive behavioral change by educating Tanzanians on the health, environmental, and economic benefits of switching to clean cooking technologies. TMIF 2025 will emphasize the role of media in shaping public perception and encouraging adoption.

4. Partnerships and Financing
Partnerships between the government, NGOs, the private sector, and international organizations are crucial for scaling clean cooking initiatives. Financial support through subsidies or micro-loans can help lower the barrier to access. TMIF 2025 will focus on how the media can effectively report on these partnerships and highlight funding opportunities that make clean cooking solutions more accessible to Tanzanian households.

Challenges and the Role of Media in Overcoming Them

Despite the progress, clean cooking initiatives face several challenges, which the media must actively address:
• Affordability and Access: Clean cooking technologies often come with high upfront costs. Media can report on innovative financing models, such as micro-loans and subsidies, that make these technologies more accessible to low-income households.
• Cultural and Behavioral Change: Many Tanzanians continue to rely on traditional cooking methods out of habit. The media has an important role in shifting these cultural norms by highlighting the health risks and showing the benefits of clean cooking through personal stories, testimonies, and educational programs.
• Supply Chain and Infrastructure: Scaling up clean cooking solutions requires robust distribution networks and local manufacturing. Media outlets can help raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities in these sectors, encouraging investment and innovation.

Conclusion

The Tanzania Media Innovation Forum (TMIF) 2025 will underscore the critical role that media plays in advancing clean cooking initiatives. By reporting on the health, environmental, and economic benefits of cleaner cooking technologies, Tanzanian media can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future. As the country moves toward greater adoption of clean cooking solutions, the media must continue to inform, educate, and inspire action — helping to ensure that every Tanzanian can benefit from clean, efficient, and safe cooking alternatives.