Kilimanjaro Region has become one of Tanzania’s most compelling examples of how rural communities can transition from traditional, polluting fuels to clean, modern electric cooking. With its strong social institutions, widespread grid access, and a culture of innovation, the region continues to demonstrate what is possible when awareness creation, empowerment, and community-led action converge.

Supported under the MECS programme, TaTEDO-SESO and SESCOM, working closely with TANESCO, local authorities, and community organizations, have rolled out one of the most extensive rural eCooking awareness and adoption campaigns in the country. Today, Kilimanjaro stands as a national model for sustainable behaviour change, women’s empowerment, and the practical acceleration of clean cooking energy transition.

More than 4,000 households across rural and peri-urban areas of Kilimanjaro are now relying on Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs). This progress is powered by more than 93 active sales agents working throughout the region and 15 trained technicians delivering reliable after-sales services that have enhanced user confidence and long-term adoption.


Photo 2: eCooking Training to Mabungo VICOBA Group with 70 Members (photo credit: TaTEDO-SESO).

Mobilization of Stakeholders in Kilimanjaro for Modern Cooking Energy Services

TaTEDO-SESO formally launched the initiative in Hai, Moshi, Siha, and Rombo districts, obtaining all necessary permits and building strong relationships with local leadership. What unfolded was a region-wide movement driven by evidence, participation, and shared benefits.

Awareness and engagement activities reached thousands through:

  • Community cooking demonstrations
  • Household awareness visits
  • Women-focused and church-based events, including large gatherings at Uhuru Hotel
  • Youth and VICOBA group sensitization meetings
  • Continuous media engagement via ELCT’s Sauti ya Injili Radio
  • Outreach to institutions such as KCMC, KCMC University College, district councils, and SACCOS

The awareness and promotion campaigns spread from Mwika to Marangu, Himo to Magadini, and Rombo to Foo. These demonstrations sparked curiosity, trust, and enthusiasm, converting interest into real EPCs adoption.

Women’s Groups and Church Networks at the Heart of Adoption

Communities in the Kilimanjaro Region displayed a strong social fabric that proved crucial in adopting eCooking. More than fifty women’s and community groups participated in hands-on eCooking sessions. Faith-based organizations, including the ELCT Northern Diocese, KKKT Moshi congregations, and Sauti ya Injili Radio, played an influential role by sharing trusted information through their extensive networks. Partnerships with local communities and authorities, the Moshi Municipal Council, and neighbouring districts further boosted the adoption of eCooking through Nane-Nane exhibitions and other public gatherings.

These partnerships:

  • Mobilized large community events
  • Extended reach to remote rural communities
  • Enabled credit-based EPC purchases through SACCOS and women’s groups
  • Built user confidence through practical cooking experiences

Photo 3: eCooking Training to Samaria Women’s Group at KKKT Kisamo Parish, Women’s Section (photo credit: TaTEDO-SESO).


As a result, Kilimanjaro has become one of the regions with rural areas of the highest eCooking adoption conversion rates in Tanzania.

Capacity Building: A New Generation of Local eCooking Entrepreneurs

Four intensive Sales Agents Workshops held at Uhuru Hotel and at Moshi TaTEDO SESO support center trained more than ninety local entrepreneurs with skills in:

  • EPC usage and energy-efficient cooking
  • Business management and marketing
  • Troubleshooting and after-sales service delivery

Photo 4: eCooking Training to Jitegemee Group, Rombo (Left) and Umoja (Right) Group, Mjohoroni (photo credit: TaTEDO-SESO).

These entrepreneurs, who are now active in communities across Moshi, Himo, Mwika, Marangu, Holili, Machame, and beyond, have been central to sustaining visibility, demonstrations, and customer support. Their role is to support the expansion of the national pool of EPC sales agents and to widen access to modern cooking solutions.

Institutions and MFIs Boost Credibility and Access

Key institutions in the region have embraced the initiative:

  • KCMC and KCMC University College explored EPC adoption in institutional kitchens.
  • Local SACCOS and MFIs, including Melewi, Kalali, and Kikalola, enabled group financing for EPC purchases.
  • District councils supported community outreach and mobilization.

Institutional support validated eCooking as a practical, affordable, and scalable solution for households, groups, and public facilities alike.

What Households Are Saying: Cleaner, Cheaper, and Easier Cooking

Monitoring across villages shows high satisfaction among EPC users. Common benefits reported include:

  • Significant reduction in household cooking costs
  • Substantial time savings, especially for women
  • Cleaner kitchens and reduced smoke exposure
  • Reliable cooking performance

Many households reported shifting almost entirely to electric cooking, except during occasional power outages.

Key Lessons from Kilimanjaro’s eCook Success

The Kilimanjaro experience highlights several critical insights:

  • Organized groups accelerate adoption; VICOBA, women’s groups, and SACCOS provide trust, structure, and financial access.
  • Practical demonstrations are essential; Seeing and tasting is believing, especially in rural contexts.
  • Church and media networks are powerful influencers; Trusted channels dramatically extend reach and credibility.
  • Demand is rising for larger EPC sizes; Size 8L–12L models are increasingly requested by groups and large families.
  • Local entrepreneurs sustain momentum; Trained sales agents ensure continued demonstrations, availability, and support.
  • Women’s empowerment increases: Reduced cooking drudgery frees up time for income-generating activities.

A Model Region for Tanzania’s Modern Cooking Energy Transition

Kilimanjaro’s achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished when communities are informed, empowered, and supported. TaTEDO-SESO and SESCOM teams, particularly those based in Moshi, have shown that electric cooking is not merely a technological shift, but a pathway to healthier households, strengthened women’s economic participation, and sustainable rural development.

As Tanzania advances its national clean cooking agenda, Kilimanjaro stands as a leading example of scalable, community-centred transformation.

Next Steps: Scaling Success Across Tanzania

Building on the strong foundation in Kilimanjaro, TaTEDO-SESO and SESCOM will continue to:

  • Expand eCooking demonstrations to additional villages
  • Strengthen partnerships with local government, churches, women’s groups, and local media
  • Support and mentor sales agents and small eCooking businesses
  • Facilitate group financing models to expand affordability
  • Engage institutions for bulk EPC adoption

With sustained collaboration and investment, the Kilimanjaro model can be replicated across all electrified regions, bringing Tanzania closer to its clean cooking and energy-efficiency goals.