By Charles Muchoki | Africa Guardian
African nations have been urged to develop strategies that enhance economic growth and improve citizens’ livelihoods by promoting clean cooking energy. This call comes as part of broader efforts to combat climate change and address environmental degradation.
Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, the Minister for Finance, made this appeal during the Africa50 Annual General Shareholders Meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The President was invited to speak on actionable solutions for clean cooking and infrastructure financing in Africa.
Dr. Nchemba emphasized the significance of clean cooking in government policies, citing its role in addressing environmental degradation, climate change, gender equality, and health issues linked to traditional cooking methods. He stated that to ensure access to clean cooking for all Africans, reliable solutions must be made available.
Highlighting the barriers to access, he noted that many households face high costs and unreliable options. He advocated for educational campaigns to raise awareness about the health benefits and long-term savings of clean cooking, suggesting collaboration with local influencers and community leaders.
The Minister also proposed various incentives for manufacturers and consumers to lower the costs of clean cookstoves. He pointed out that the clean cooking sector suffers from inadequate investment, which restricts the availability of solutions.
“While clean cooking is an international goal, it must be treated as a business for sustainability. Investors seek profit, so we must create an environment that supports their investments,” Dr. Nchemba said.
He added that the success of clean cooking initiatives depends on effective strategies to improve raw material availability and expand infrastructure for production and distribution. High initial costs for clean cooking fuels and appliances remain a barrier, with many opting for traditional methods perceived as cheaper.
Dr. Nchemba cited the example of charcoal, which can be bought in smaller quantities compared to Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), which requires purchasing a full cylinder. “To achieve our goals, we must make clean cooking affordable, especially for low-income households,” he stressed.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that achieving clean cooking access for all Africans by 2030 would require about $4 billion in annual investments. Dr. Nchemba urged governments to seek funding from various sources, including development agencies, banks, and NGOs.
He also recommended microfinance options for clean cooking, suggesting low-interest loans to help households transition to cleaner solutions.
Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, emphasized the need for international support to realize the country’s energy transition goals, highlighting Madagascar’s potential as a model for renewable energy.
The Africa50 Shareholders’ Meeting gathered stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss infrastructure challenges, climate change mitigation, and the promotion of clean cooking energy as a catalyst for economic development.
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