African Nations Secure $900 Million for Clean Cooking Transition

African nations have secured $900 million in new financial commitments to expand access to clean cooking technologies, according to the International Energy Agency. Announced during a virtual forum co-convened by Kenya and the IEA, these funds bring total commitments to over $3.1 billion, adding to $2.2 billion previously mobilized at the 2024 Africa Clean Cooking Summit in Paris.

William Ruto, the President of Kenya, announced a Sh133 billion plan to achieve universal clean cooking access in Kenya by 2028. The strategy requires Sh56.5 billion for households and Sh76.7 billion for public institutions such as schools and hospitals. Ruto also announced that Kenya will serve as a founding member of the IEA's new Clean Cooking Alliance and has established Africa's first Clean Cooking Delivery Unit.

The funding aims to replace charcoal and firewood with low-emission alternatives like ethanol, biogas, and electricity. The IEA and Ruto noted that reliance on traditional fuels causes approximately 850,000 premature deaths annually in Africa. To further protect energy access, the IEA launched the Clean Cooking Security Programme to stabilize liquefied petroleum gas supply chains following shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The IEA reported that $740 million from previous pledges has already been deployed across 22 African countries.