Our Services
Practical support services that unlock barriers across the sustainable energy value chain
What We Offer
TaTEDO-SESO delivers a comprehensive suite of services designed to strengthen every link in the sustainable energy value chain — from understanding community needs and building technical capacity, to developing markets, influencing policy, and piloting new energy technologies.
Our services are grounded in over 32 years of field experience across Tanzania's diverse urban and rural contexts, and are tailored to the specific needs of communities, entrepreneurs, institutions, local government authorities, and development partners.
Capacity Building & Training
Equipping communities, entrepreneurs, and institutions with the knowledge and skills to access and benefit from sustainable energy
Improved Cookstove Training
Technical and production skills training for stove artisans on manufacturing improved household and institutional woodfuel cookstoves. Covers efficiency standards, material selection, quality control, and business skills for stove producers.
eCooking Appliance Training
Hands-on training and live demonstrations for communities on the efficient use of Electric Pressure Cookers (EPCs). Training has been delivered in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Singida, Mtwara, Lindi, Kilimanjaro, and beyond — reaching over 1,000 participants (70% women).
Sustainable Charcoal Production
Training on sustainable charcoal value chain promotion covering resource management, improved kiln technologies (Half Orange Kiln, IBEK), and sustainable production practices. Delivered in Kilosa, Biharamulo, Tabora, and other regions.
Solar & Mini-Grid Technician Training
Technical capacity building for mini-grid technicians, solar PV system operators, and e-mobility technicians. Includes operation and maintenance training for community-based energy system management, productive use of electricity, and after-sales service delivery.
Charcoal Briquette Production
Establishment of charcoal briquette production centres and training of community groups as an alternative to traditional charcoal. Centres have been established in Kilosa, Mlandizi, Malinyi, Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and Rufiji.
LGA Energy Planning Capacity
Capacity building in planning, implementing, and monitoring rural energy interventions for District Sustainable Energy Development Committees (DiSEDCs) and Local Government Authorities (LGAs), including Kilwa, Lindi, Rufiji, and others.
Applied Research & Energy Assessment
Evidence-based analysis that informs programme design, market development, and national energy policy
Participatory Energy Assessments
Integrated sustainable energy assessments in urban and rural communities using household surveys, focus group discussions, and participatory rural appraisals. Conducted in 100+ villages across Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Pwani, Tanga, and Arusha.
Market System Studies
Comprehensive market system assessments for energy products including EPCs, improved cookstoves, solar home systems, briquettes, and mini-grids — identifying actors, barriers, and delivery model opportunities.
Energy Audits
Energy audits for mini-grid systems including solar PV (Leganga, Dodoma) and hydro systems (LUMAMA, Njombe), as well as energy efficiency assessments for institutional and commercial users.
Rural Energy Master Planning
Rural energy master planning at district and regional level, undertaken in consortium with international partners. Includes energy baseline surveys, resource mapping, and demand forecasting for district energy plans.
Mini-Grid Research (SIGMA)
Country partner in the SIGMA Study on Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Governance of Mini-grids in Africa (2021–2024) with De Montfort University. Covers political economy, frameworks, database development, and mini-grid potential for SMEs and agriculture.
Gender & Social Impact Analysis
Social, economic, and cultural assessments of energy programmes with gender disaggregation. Includes cooking diaries, choice modelling, and women's empowerment impact evaluations to ensure inclusivity in energy service delivery.
Selected Studies & Publications
Market & Business Development
Strengthening supply chains, building distribution networks, and linking energy actors with finance
Sales Agent & Dealer Network Development
Developing and establishing networks of sales agents and dealers for EPCs, improved cookstoves (ICS), and solar home systems through social enterprise SESCOM. Over 140 sales agents are currently supplying products countrywide.
Microfinance Linkages
Linking energy entrepreneurs, stove artisans, women's groups, and end-users with MFIs, SACCOs, and VICOBA groups on flexible credit terms for energy product purchases and business working capital. Over 200 customers currently benefiting under SESCOM's lending scheme.
Business Model Innovation & Piloting
Design and piloting of innovative delivery and business models for scaling up uptake of clean energy appliances. Current pilots include EPC business models in Morogoro, Kilimanjaro, and Dodoma, and solar PV-powered cooking hub models in Kisarawe and Ubungo.
Awareness & Demand Creation
Awareness raising and promotion of sustainable energy technologies through TV, radio, social media, and exhibitions. Live demonstrations at TaTEDO-SESO's demonstration centre and in villages across multiple regions to stimulate demand for energy products and services.
Product Import & Distribution (SESCOM)
Through social enterprise SESCOM, TaTEDO-SESO imports and distributes eCooking devices (including the award-winning SESCOM EPC), electric vehicles (E3W and E2W), and solar thermal products. SESCOM's branded EPC won the 2020 Global LEAP Award.
Solar Dryer Promotion & Construction
Promotion and construction of solar dryers for commercial, semi-industrial, and domestic food preservation. Over 30 groups trained and assisted in Muheza, Handeni, Kibaha, Mtwara, Kilimanjaro, Ukerewe, and more — in collaboration with SUA, TAHA, and Mikocheni Agricultural Research.
Policy Influence & Advocacy
Shaping the national and regional environment for sustainable energy through evidence, dialogue, and coalition building
Policy Analysis & Briefs
Studying and understanding relevant national policies on energy, climate change, and environment; preparing policy briefs and recommendations for submission to decision-makers, ministries, and parliament. Participation in national task forces including charcoal, SREP, BEST, and SE4ALL steering committees.
Parliamentary & Ministerial Engagement
Direct dialogue with Members of Parliament, policy-makers, and relevant sectoral ministries (MoE, VPO, PO-RALG, Agriculture, MNRT, REA, NEMC, EWURA) to influence energy policies, resource allocation, and planning priorities at national and local levels.
CSO Coalition Building
Collaboration with CSO coalitions and parliament committees to advocate for supportive energy and climate policies. TaTEDO-SESO has facilitated the establishment of TANGSEN, TAREA, CCAT, SEF, and the INFORSE Tanzania Chapter — strengthening collective sector advocacy.
Standards Development
Member of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards Clean Cooking Technical Committee (TBS/MEDC 12). Active participant in the Technical Working Group developing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for electric cooking appliances and energy performance labelling in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, UNDP, and UKAid-MECS.
International Network Engagement
TaTEDO-SESO serves as Regional Coordinator for the International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE), participating in international forums to advocate for gender-responsive, pro-poor energy and climate solutions at global level.
Multi-Stakeholder Forums
Creating and facilitating forums to discuss policy-related issues at national, regional, and district levels. Forums bring together government, private sector, civil society, and development partners to address systemic barriers to sustainable energy access.
Supported by Development Partners
TaTEDO-SESO's policy and advocacy work has been supported by the European Union, World Bank, DfID/MECS, SIDA, NORAD, UNDP/GEF, Hivos, MOTT Foundation, WRI, EEP, CISU, USADF, and WWF.
Technology Development & Piloting
Applied research, field testing, and scaling of appropriate energy technologies for Tanzania's households, institutions, and enterprises
Improved Cookstoves (ICS)
R&D, field testing, and promotion of improved household and institutional woodfuel stoves achieving efficiencies above 25%. Technologies range from low-cost to high-cost designs for different user contexts, including fish frying stoves, institutional firewood stoves (reducing firewood consumption by up to 70%), and charcoal stoves exceeding 50% efficiency.
Electric Pressure Cookers (EPC)
Import, distribution, and field testing of household and institutional electric pressure cookers through SESCOM. Current testing covers 33, 40, 65, and 85-litre EPCs suitable for SMEs, restaurants, schools, and hotels. SESCOM's branded EPC won the 2020 Global LEAP Award.
Power Hubs for Cooking
Piloting of AC and DC power hub prototypes developed under the MECS-CREST programme. Designed to store electricity and support full-day cooking in off-grid areas, and to mitigate high power draws in on-grid areas. Tested across 40 households in Kisarawe and Ubungo Districts.
Solar PV Mini-Grids
Development, installation, and management of solar mini-grids and hybrid systems (solar/biomass/hydro) in off-grid communities across Coast, Tanga, Simiyu, Shinyanga, Kagera, Arusha, and Tabora regions. Mini-grids are operated by SMEs and through SESCOM.
Solar Water Pumping & Irrigation
Integration of solar-powered water pumps and drip irrigation for agricultural use. Pilot at the 700-acre Huzi Mango Farm in Chamwino is now complete, with projected annual yield increases and opportunities for horticulture and agribusiness development.
Electric Mobility (e-Mobility)
Import and distribution of electric three-wheelers (E3W) and two-wheelers (E2W) through SESCOM, with technician training for local maintenance and after-sales service support. Adaptive research on e-mobility services as a new frontier of intervention.
Solar Dryers
Design, construction, and promotion of solar dryers for commercial, semi-industrial, and domestic post-harvest preservation. Collaborative technology improvement work with SUA, TAHA, Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute, and Energertica Bolivia to improve durability and thermal performance.
Biogas Technology
Promotion of biogas digesters for cooking in rural households and institutions. National Biogas Programme steering committee participation ensures alignment with government rollout and quality standards for biogas system installation and maintenance.
Charcoal Briquettes
Development and promotion of charcoal briquettes as a sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal. Production centres established in multiple regions provide communities with lower-emission, cost-effective cooking fuel and a new enterprise opportunity.
Join Us in Building a Sustainable Future
Partner with TaTEDO-SESO to create lasting impact in Tanzania's energy landscape.