NAIROBI, Kenya- Clean cooking is rapidly emerging as a top development priority across Africa, with leaders calling for urgent action to address the health, environmental and gender impacts of traditional cooking methods.
In a statement following a high-level policy dialogue in Freetown, Kenya’s First Lady, Rachel Ruto underscored the scale of the crisis, noting that more than 900 million people across the continent still rely on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
“This is not just an energy challenge; it is a health, environmental and gender equality issue,” she said, warning that millions of women and children remain exposed to dangerous household air pollution daily.
Kenya’s Push for Clean Cooking
In Kenya, the government has stepped up efforts to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy solutions. Key initiatives include modernising school kitchens and integrating clean cooking technologies into affordable housing projects.
The shift aims to ensure households can cook safely and efficiently, while also contributing to climate action by reducing reliance on polluting fuels.
A major pillar of the clean cooking movement is women’s empowerment, with grassroots initiatives playing a critical role.
Through Joyful Women Organization, also known as JoyWo, women are leveraging table banking models to access clean cookstoves and fuels.
The initiative is not only improving health outcomes but also creating income-generating opportunities, positioning clean cooking as a driver of sustainable livelihoods.
Regional Momentum Builds
The Freetown dialogue brought together policymakers and stakeholders to explore the intersection of clean cooking, gender equality and child protection.
The meeting also marked the launch of the ECOWAS LPG Programme, aimed at scaling up the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a cleaner alternative across West Africa.
Leaders at the forum called for bold policies, increased investment and coordinated action to tackle energy poverty and accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions.
Experts say transitioning to clean cooking could significantly reduce preventable diseases linked to indoor air pollution, cut deforestation rates and ease the burden on women who often spend hours collecting firewood.
With momentum building across regions, the call is clear: scaling clean cooking solutions is no longer optional; it is essential to securing a healthier, more equitable future for millions across Africa.
