Africa seeking health, environment transformation with clean cooking solutions

Traditional three stone cooking Jiko at one of the learning institutions in Nakuru. [File, Standard] Africa is turning a new page in its fight against one of its most persistent public health and environmental crises: the deadly toll of traditional cooking methods. At the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Tanzania on January 27-28, 12 African nations including Kenya pledged to accelerate access to clean cooking solutions, a move that could save hundreds of thousands of lives and significantly reduce deforestation. The summit, backed by Kenya and supported by global institutions including the African Development Bank and the World Bank, marked a pivotal moment in addressing the health and environmental impacts of open-fire cooking. Nearly one billion Africans rely on traditional fuels like wood, charcoal, and kerosene, which release harmful toxins linked to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and cancer. These methods claim an estimated 600,000 lives annually, primarily women and children, while also driving deforestation and climate change. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, a key advocate for clean cooking, emphasized the importance of political leadership in driving change. "I understand that the 12 governments have only pioneered, and many others will join us in the future," she said during the summit. Tanzania has already taken significant steps, launching a National Clean Cooking Strategy to transition 80 per cent of its population to clean cooking technologies by 2034. The economic and social costs of traditional cooking are staggering. Rashid Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission, noted that nearly 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, while around one billion lack clean cooking solutions. The economic burden of this crisis is estimated at $790 billion annually, with women bearing the brunt of the impact as they spend hours gathering firewood and cooking over open flames. Innovative solutions are already emerging. Burn Manufacturing, Africa's largest clean cooking stove manufacturer, is producing fuel-efficient stoves that reduce smoke and harmful emissions. CEO Peter Scott highlighted the potential of carbon finance to unlock millions of dollars for clean cooking initiatives. "Now, there's a lot of money standing by to approve carbon credit regulations to allow carbon trading, carbon finance, to grow," he said. Meanwhile, companies like M-Gas are revolutionizing access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through pay-as-you-cook models. CEO Martin Kimani explained that their IoT-enabled smart meters have enabled half a million households in Kenya and Tanzania to switch to cleaner cooking. "For just 35 cents, a family can cook three meals in a day, which is both affordable and safe compared to traditional methods," he said. The summit also showcased groundbreaking innovations through Tanzania's National Clean Cooking Innovation Challenge. Winners included a biogas production plant and a click-and-deliver LPG service, demonstrating the private sector's critical role in driving the clean cooking revolution. Global support for Africa's clean energy transition is growing. Countries like Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France have pledged additional contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, which aims to unlock billions in private-sector investments. These funds are crucial to achieving the Mission 300 goal of providing 300 million Africans with access to electricity by 2030. The private sector's involvement is seen as key to scaling up energy access. Investors at the summit called for greater private participation in energy transmission and distribution, particularly in financing projects that bring clean energy to underserved communities. New financial instruments, such as the Mission 300 Local Currency Guarantee Facility, aim to mobilize $5 billion for small and medium-sized enterprises in the renewable energy sector, further accelerating Africa's transition to a low-carbon economy. As Africa's energy landscape transforms, the continent is not only addressing a critical health and environmental crisis but also creating economic opportunities for millions. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative financing, and bold political leadership, Africa is setting the pace for a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future. The commitment to clean cooking is just the beginning of a much larger movement toward sustainable energy solutions across the continent.

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