Despite growing awareness and national targets, only 7.2% of Tanzanian households are using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) while the vast majority still rely on charcoal and firewood.
A recent multi-city study by DAMAX Solutions, commissioned by M-Gas, set out to uncover the real reasons behind fuel choices in seven urban regions:
Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mbeya, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha.
📊 Key Insights
- Cost & Access: High upfront costs, limited distribution, and low awareness are major barriers.
- Cultural Beliefs: Many believe LPG is unsuitable for slow-cooked traditional dishes like beans, pilau, makande, and meat.
- Preference & Perception: For some, charcoal-cooked food tastes better, and old habits continue to outweigh the known health and environmental risks.
💡 What’s Working
Innovative models like M-Gas’s pay-as-you-cook system are making LPG more accessible for low-income families by removing the burden of large upfront payments.
🚀 The Way Forward
This research underscores the importance of targeted awareness campaigns, behavior change strategies, and affordable technologies to meet Tanzania’s goal of 80% clean cooking access by 2032.
It’s not just about fuel it’s about changing mindsets, improving health, and advancing sustainable energy access for all.