Apply Now for Tanzania Clean Cooking Project Grants

Support transformational business models adapt to target markets to accelerate access to affordable clean cooking solutions in rural and marginalized communities in urban and peri-urban areas. Support commercially viable small and growing clean cooking companies in the country, out of which at least 20% will be women-owned and/or managed. Support innovative ideas that stimulate new approaches to increase affordability and access to clean and efficient cooking solutions. Capture and disseminate lessons on how increased access to clean cooking solutions can deliver a positive impact on the poor, especially women and youth. Stimulate stakeholder engagements for an improved policy, legal and regulatory environment for clean cooking businesses within the country.

The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) with a total allocation of US$3.75 million to catalyse the clean cooking sector in Tanzania. The initiative is designed to reduce energy poverty through increased adoption of clean cooking technologies in rural and marginalized communities, driving private sector investment and innovation. The Tanzania Clean Cooking Project is set for a three-year duration, initiating with a six-month inception and competition phase followed by two and a half years of implementation. Funding targets private sector companies active in clean cooking across Tanzania, excluding Dar-es-salaam, to serve low-income customers, with particular focus on benefiting women, youth, and underserved markets. Successful business models must demonstrate sustained social impact by measuring households served, inclusion of women and youth, market growth stimulation, and strengthening of supply chains. Companies are also expected to implement gender-inclusive practices, demonstrate benefits to women, and foster women-led supply chains. Grant funding ranges from US$50,000 to US$400,000, categorized into catalytic grants for smaller enterprises and growth funds for larger businesses. Disbursement is milestone-based and reimbursable, requiring applicants to match funding at differing ratios based on ownership to show commitment. Eligible applicants must be legally registered in Tanzania, operational for at least two years, compliant with all relevant laws including environmental management, human rights, and anti-corruption standards, and able to demonstrate financial and operational capacity to implement the project. Supported solutions include improved cookstoves meeting Tier 2 fuel use efficiency, affordable electric cooking solutions, and clean cook stoves and fuel options that meet Tier 4 indoor emission standards. The application process involves submitting a concept note followed by a detailed business plan. Successful investees commit to collaborating closely with AECF through milestone negotiation, data sharing, annual program reviews, and impact reporting for three years post-project to ensure transparency and ongoing evaluation.

For more information, visit AECF.