African Leaders Pledge to Advance Clean Cooking Solutions at Mission 300 Summit
African leaders have committed to advancing clean cooking energy solutions at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit held in Tanzania from January 27-28.
During the summit, 12 African countries signed energy compacts aimed at accelerating access to electricity and clean cooking solutions, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These pledges mark a significant step towards reducing the 600,000 annual deaths caused by exposure to harmful cooking smoke, particularly among women and children.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, a leading advocate for clean cooking, emphasized the importance of high-level commitment in addressing this issue. “The 12 governments have pioneered, and many others will join us in the future,” she remarked.
She further highlighted that the summit provided a platform to consolidate commitments, form new partnerships, and drive momentum toward the 2030 goal of universal clean cooking access.
Tanzania has taken a proactive stance by launching a National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024-2034) to combat deforestation and health risks associated with traditional cooking methods. Dr. Richard Muyungi, Special Envoy to the President, praised President Hassan’s leadership, stating, “She is the champion of clean cooking, bringing this issue to the highest level of government.”
He added that Tanzania aims to transition 80% of its population to clean cooking technologies by 2034.
The summit featured key industry leaders, including Rashid Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission (AFREC), who highlighted the stark contrast between 600 million Africans lacking electricity and one billion relying on polluting biomass fuels.
He noted the estimated $790 billion annual cost of these traditional fuels on health, economy, and the environment.
Peter Scott, CEO of Burn Manufacturing, Africa’s largest clean cooking manufacturer, emphasized the role of carbon credit regulations in unlocking funding for clean cooking projects. “This is the most exciting time in the history of clean cooking,” he declared. Meanwhile, Martin Kimani, CEO of M-Gas, introduced a pay-as-you-cook LPG model, which has already provided clean cooking access to 500,000 households in Kenya and Tanzania. “With just *35 cents, families can cook three meals a day,” Kimani explained, underlining the affordability and accessibility of this solution.
Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has pledged $2 billion over the next decade to support clean cooking solutions in Africa. This contribution forms a critical part of the $4 billion per year required to achieve universal clean cooking access by 2030.
AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina passionately addressed the need for action, stating, “Why should anyone die just for trying to cook a meal? Africa must develop with dignity and pride. Its women and its population must have access to clean energy solutions.”
Tanzania’s role in pioneering clean cooking solutions was recognized at the summit, with awards given to innovators, including a biogas production plant and a click gas LPG delivery system. These efforts, coupled with high-level political engagement and private sector collaboration, set a precedent for other nations to follow.
As Africa takes bold strides towards a cleaner, healthier future, the Mission 300 Summit has reaffirmed that with the right policies, investments, and leadership, the vision of universal clean cooking is within reach.
