Gender inclusion vital in energy efficiency drive

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ministry of Energy has emphasised that gender equality and social inclusion must remain at the centre of implementing the National Energy Efficiency Strategy 2024–2034, insisting that women, youth and people with disabilities should play a leading role in transforming Tanzania’s energy sector.

Speaking during a gender and energy efficiency policy dialogue held in Dar es Salaam, Ministry of Energy representative Joyce Msangi said the government is committed to ensuring that every group participates equally in the country’s rapidly expanding energy industry.

The dialogue, held under the theme “Advancing Gender-Sensitive Approaches in the Implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Strategy 2024–2034,” brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and energy stakeholders to discuss inclusive approaches in the sector.

The meeting also presented findings from the Gender Inclusion Assessment conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy. Msangi stressed that inclusive participation is essential if the country is to achieve sustainable growth in the energy sector.

“Women, youth and persons with disabilities should not be viewed only as beneficiaries,” Msangi said. “They must also be recognised as innovators, technicians, leaders and decision-makers in the energy sector.” She explained that the National Energy Efficiency Strategy recognises energy efficiency as a key pillar for economic growth, environmental sustainability and improved social welfare.

According to her, Tanzania has continued to register major progress in energy access and electricity generation in recent years, creating opportunities for more inclusive participation in the sector.

“As of today, access to electricity has reached 85.5 per cent compared to 78.4 per cent in 2024,” she said.

“This shows a significant increase in accessibility of electricity services across the country.” She added that the country’s electricity generation capacity has also expanded considerably, rising from 4,031.71 megawatts in 2020 to 4,522.54 megawatts currently. “This growth requires us to use energy more efficiently and inclusively,” she stressed.

Msangi noted that while the country has made progress in improving access to modern energy services, some groups still face significant challenges in benefiting fully from the sector.

She said women continue to carry the largest burden in household energy use, especially in cooking, lighting, water heating and other domestic responsibilities, yet many still face obstacles in accessing finance, technical education and leadership opportunities.

“Women remain central to household energy use, especially in cooking, lighting, water heating and care-related responsibilities, yet they continue to face barriers in access to finance, technical training and leadership opportunities,” she said.

She further called for stronger support for girls and young women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and energy-related professions, saying inclusive development cannot be achieved if women remain underrepresented in technical fields.

“As we strengthen skills and innovation, girls and young women must be supported to enter science, technology and energy professions,” Msangi said.

The National Energy Efficiency Strategy 2024–2034 seeks to increase awareness of energy conservation practices while promoting cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

Among its priorities are improving electricity supply systems, promoting clean cooking technologies, strengthening innovation and skills development, and enhancing efficiency standards in buildings and household appliances.

Energy experts attending the dialogue noted that integrating gender considerations into energy policies is not only a matter of social justice but also critical for achieving long-term economic and environmental goals. Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Gender and Sustainable Energy Network (TANGSEN), Hezron Kajange, said the organisation has continued to advocate for women’s empowerment and increased access to modern energy technologies and services.

“Our objective is to ensure gender equality is fully considered in energy efficiency policies,” Kajange said.

He explained that women, particularly in rural communities, often spend long hours collecting firewood and using traditional cooking methods that expose them to health risks and environmental degradation.

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According to him, expanding access to clean and efficient energy technologies would help reduce those burdens while also creating economic opportunities for women and young people. Kajange said TANGSEN is working to promote sustainable energy through advocacy campaigns, awareness programmes and capacity-building initiatives aimed at increasing women’s participation in ownership and control of energy technologies and services.

“We believe women should not only use energy technologies but also participate in producing, distributing and managing them,” he said.

He added that stronger collaboration between government institutions, civil society organizations and development partners is necessary to ensure that inclusive policies are translated into practical results. Participants at the dialogue also highlighted the need for financial institutions and private sector players to create more opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs in renewable energy and energy efficiency businesses.

Some speakers noted that limited access to credit and technical skills continues to prevent many women from participating fully in the growing clean energy market.

Engineer Spiradson Kagabe, a standards officer from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), said standards and regulations are important in ensuring the country adopts safe, reliable and energyefficient technologies.

He said TBS continues to work closely with stakeholders to strengthen standards that support sustainable energy development while protecting consumers. Kagabe stressed that improving energy efficiency standards in appliances, equipment and buildings would contribute significantly to reducing energy waste and lowering costs for consumers.

He also encouraged manufacturers and importers to comply with national standards to ensure that only quality and energy-efficient products enter the market. Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that achieving the goals of the National Energy Efficiency Strategy will require collective efforts from public and private sectors, as well as stronger community participation.

They emphasised that gender inclusion should not be treated as a secondary issue but rather as a key component of the country’s energy transition agenda. The dialogue concluded with calls for continued policy reforms, investment in skills development and stronger public awareness campaigns to ensure that all Tanzanians benefit equally from the country’s growing energy sector.

As Tanzania continues to expand electricity access and modernise its energy systems, participants said empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups will be essential in building a more sustainable, efficient and inclusive energy future for the nation.

The post Gender inclusion vital in energy efficiency drive first appeared on Daily News.

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