At the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Tanzania on 27-28 January 2025, 12 African countries took bold steps to provide clean cooking solutions to combat the health, environmental, and economic challenges posed by traditional cooking methods. This initiative aims to address the annual deaths of 600,000 women and children caused by harmful cooking practices and aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Tanzania Leads the Way
Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan, who serves as the global Clean Cooking Ambassador, praised the commitment of the 12 participating governments and emphasized that many others would join in the future. The summit’s focus was to drive momentum toward the 2030 goal of ensuring universal access to clean cooking solutions. The event was organized by the Government of Tanzania and Mission 300, a collaboration with the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group, and other global partners.
Urgent Need for Clean Cooking Solutions
With over 1 billion Africans still relying on traditional biomass fuels like wood and charcoal for cooking, the need for clean cooking solutions is critical. These methods not only harm health but also result in environmental damage, such as deforestation, and incur economic costs estimated at $790 billion annually. Rashid Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission, highlighted the dire situation, stressing that while 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity, the cooking crisis is even more severe.
Private Sector Innovation
Private companies are also playing a significant role in addressing the clean cooking challenge. Peter Scott, CEO of Burn Manufacturing, the largest clean cooking stove manufacturer in Africa, highlighted the various solutions being implemented, including fuel-efficient stoves and electric cooking appliances. These solutions often come with pay-as-you-go financing models, making them more accessible.
Martin Kimani, CEO of M-Gas, shared the success of their pay-as-you-cook LPG model, which has enrolled half a million households in Kenya and Tanzania within three years. M-Gas’s IoT-enabled smart meters have made LPG cooking more affordable without upfront payments, demonstrating the scalability and affordability of clean cooking solutions.
National and Regional Efforts
Tanzania has already made significant progress, publishing a comprehensive clean cooking strategy for 2024-2034. The country aims to transition 80% of its population to clean cooking technologies by 2034. At the summit, Tanzania recognized national innovations, awarding prizes for clean cooking solutions, including a biogas production plant and an LPG delivery system.
Financial Support for Clean Cooking
The African Development Bank Group committed $2 billion over the next decade to clean cooking solutions in Africa, contributing to the $4 billion per year needed to provide clean cooking access to all African households by 2030. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, called for an end to unnecessary deaths caused by traditional cooking methods, emphasizing the importance of development with dignity.
Moving Toward a Sustainable Future
The summit underscored the importance of clean cooking solutions for the health, environment, and economy of Africa. With strong political will, innovative technologies, and international partnerships, African nations are on track to tackle the cooking energy crisis and create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. The Mission 300 initiative is a significant step toward achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030, and more countries are expected to join the movement in the coming years.