The role of social economic factors on the choice of energy source in Tanzanian households: a case of Dar es Salaam region.

The study examined the role of social economic factors on choice of energy source in Tanzanian households. The specific objectives of this study were; to determine the influence of income status on choice of energy source in Tanzanian households; to examine the influence of energy price on choice of energy source in Tanzanian households; to examine the influence of education status on choice of energy source in Tanzanian households; to determine the influence of household size on choice of energy source in Tanzanian households. Data was collected through questionnaires and interview from 400 households from each of the five districts of Dar es Salaam Region, Ilala, Kigamboni, Temeke, Kinondoni and Ubungo. The data obtained through the questionnaire and interview were converted, coded and analysed through SPSS software and content analysis respectively. To address the study objectives, descriptive statistics and regression analysis were carried to analyse quantitative data. The finding showed the positive significant relationship between income status and household energy choice. Energy price showed the negative significant relationship with household energy choice. Education status also showed the negative significant relationship with household energy choice. On other and household’s size showed the negative but not significant relationship with household energy choice. The study recommended that energy education should be included in the nation’s curriculum at least up to the secondary school level; incentives should be provided to business supplying modern energy. Furthermore, improvement in income among households by providing employment opportunities among households. There is a need for the further studies to be carried out in other regions in Tanzania apart from Dar es Salaam to find out if the same results will be obtained.