Africa’s bold move to clean cooking: Game changer for health and environment

These deaths aren’t from diseases we commonly hear about, but from the invisible dangers of open fire cooking.

As families gather around smoky stoves fuelled by charcoal or wood, they unknowingly breathe in deadly toxins that lead to respiratory diseases, heart problems and even cancer. In addition to the health crisis, this method of cooking accelerates deforestation, contributing to climate change and economic instability.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the use of solid fuels like wood, charcoal and animal dung in poorly ventilated spaces is a leading cause of these fatalities, which result primarily from respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions and burns.

However, a new chapter unfolded. At the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Tanzania from January 27 to 28 this year where 12 African nations committed to addressing these deadly issues with bold, innovative solutions.

The countries involved in this initiative are setting the stage to tackle one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: Access to clean cooking energy. This moment is a turning point, one that could save hundreds of thousands of lives and transform the way millions cook their meals.

The summit, supported by global institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank and other development partners, saw countries pledge to accelerate access to electricity and clean cooking solutions.

The goal is ambitious yet crucial: To provide clean cooking options to millions of Africans who rely on dangerous, polluting fuels.

During the summit, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said “I understand that the 12 governments have only pioneered and many others will join us in the future.”

This statement was a recognition of the importance of high-level political leadership. President Samia has been instrumental in this effort, making clean cooking a top priority for Tanzania.

The country’s efforts include a detailed National Clean Cooking Strategy, which aims to increase clean cooking energy usage from the current 10 per cent to 80 per cent by 2034.

This initiative alone will have a massive impact on public health, reducing both mortality rates and deforestation while also supporting the country’s sustainable development.

The Executive Director of the African Energy Commission, Rashid Abdallah said the challenges of transitioning to cleaner cooking methods are immense, but innovative solutions are already being rolled out.

“While 600 million Africans live without access to electricity, nearly double that number—around one billion people—lack access to clean cooking solutions.

These people rely on traditional fuels like wood, charcoal and kerosene, all of which have severe environmental, health and economic consequences,” he said.

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The economic toll of this problem is significant, with an estimated cost of 790 billion US dollars annually for the continent. The burden is felt most acutely by women, who are primarily responsible for cooking.

These women spend hours each day gathering firewood, cooking over open flames and exposing themselves and their children to harmful smoke.

At the summit, Special Envoy to the President of Tanzania, Dr Richard Muyungi, emphasised the need for comprehensive, coordinated strategies.

He praised Tanzania’s approach, which includes high-level political will, stakeholder engagement and private sector involvement.

“The government is not only investing in clean cooking technology but also involving private companies, fostering a culture of innovation that can drive change across the continent,” he said.

Burn Manufacturing, led by CEO Peter Scott, is one company making strides in clean cooking.

As clean cooking stove manufacturer, Burn is developing fuel-efficient stoves that drastically reduce the amount of smoke and harmful emissions produced during cooking.

The company also pioneers electric cooking appliances that can be financed through pay-as-you-go models, making the transition to cleaner energy more affordable for households.

“Now, there’s a lot of money standing by to approve carbon credit regulations to allow carbon trading, carbon finance, to grow,” he said. Carbon finance, which involves companies investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, could unlock millions of dollars to support clean cooking initiatives across Africa.

M-Gas Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Martin Kimani, said he has developed an innovative approach to clean cooking through Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

M-Gas’s pay-as-you-cook model has already enabled half a million households in Kenya and Tanzania to switch to cleaner cooking by offering gas cylinders with no upfront costs, using IoT-enabled smart meters.

“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.

These solutions are not only transforming the way Africans cook but also bringing economic benefits to communities.

Cleaner cooking options help families save money by reducing fuel costs and healthcare expenses, while also reducing the environmental impact of deforestation and carbon emissions.

Tanzania’s commitment to clean cooking is a beacon for the rest of Africa.

The government’s Clean Cooking Strategy is part of the nation’s broader efforts to address the severe consequences of open fire cooking.

Each year, 3,000 Tanzanians die due to the effects of using charcoal and firewood and 400 hectares of land are deforested for cooking fuel.

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President Samia’s leadership is a model for other African countries to follow, as she has made clean cooking a national priority.

During the summit, the winners of Tanzania’s National Clean Cooking Innovation Challenge were announced, recognising groundbreaking solutions in clean cooking technology.

One of the winners had developed a biogas production plant, while another created a system for delivering LPG through a click-and-deliver service.

These innovations are proof that the private sector has a vital role to play in driving the clean cooking revolution forward.

The global community is also backing this effort. Countries like Denmark,  UK , Spain and France have pledged additional contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, demonstrating their commitment to supporting clean energy access across the continent.

This financial support will help unlock billions of dollars in private sector investments, which are critical to achieving the Mission 300 goal providing 300 million Africans with access to electricity by 2030.

At the summit, major investors called for a stronger role for the private sector in the energy transmission and distribution sector, especially in financing projects that bring clean energy solutions to underserved communities.

The consensus among leaders is clear: The private sector has a critical role to play in scaling up energy access in Africa. By opening up the transmission and distribution sectors to private investment, governments can attract the necessary capital to extend electricity to millions of Africans who are currently living without it.

The future of Africa’s energy sector looks brighter than ever. With new financial instruments like the Mission 300 Local Currency Guarantee Facility, which targets 5 billion US dollars in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in the renewable energy sector, Africa is poised to lead the way in clean energy innovation.

This facility, which addresses systemic barriers to financing, will help unlock the potential of distributed renewable energy solutions and accelerate the continent’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

As Africa’s energy landscape transforms, the continent is not just aiming for a sustainable future—it is actively creating it.

Through collaborative partnerships, innovative financing and bold political will, Africa is setting the pace for clean energy solutions that will improve health, protect the environment and create economic opportunities for millions of people.

The commitment to clean cooking is just the beginning of a much larger movement toward a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous