Setting the scene

Nearly 2 billion people globally still lack access to clean cooking solutions, with half of this population living in sub-Saharan Africa. Household air pollution resulting from traditional cooking methods causes approximately 2.5 million premature deaths annually, including an estimated 840,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Households lacking access spend an average of four hours per day collecting fuel and cooking over inefficient stoves, a burden primarily borne by women and children. Traditional methods generate 1.2 Gt CO2-eq annually, comparable to the combined emissions of international aviation and shipping.

A global energy crisis was triggered in early 2026 by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 30% of global seaborne LPG trade passes. This disruption exposed 3.4 billion people relying on LPG to supply shocks and price volatility. While physical supplies remained available in Africa, soaring prices pushed clean cooking options beyond the threshold of affordability for many households.

Clean cooking trends in Sub-Saharan Africa

The regional clean cooking access rate reached 23% in 2024, an increase of almost 1 percentage point from the previous year. Nearly 12 million people gained access in 2024, triple the rate seen in 2010. However, population growth continues to outpace progress, as the number of people without access increased by around 14 million during the same period. West Africa led regional gains, and five countries—Nigeria, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Tanzania—accounted for almost three-quarters of all people gaining access over the past five years.

Investment trends

Investment in sub-Saharan Africa’s cooking sector reached USD 770 million in 2024, up from USD 590 million in 2020. Private capital and consumer spending accounted for 70% of this total. As of June 2026, the IEA tracked USD 737 million in disbursements against the USD 2.2 billion in pledges made at the 2024 Summit. Concessional financial flows reached new highs of USD 198 million in 2024, largely driven by a significant African Development Bank policy-based loan.

Clean cooking infrastructure

LPG storage capacity in the region has reached 800 kt, with more than 10% added over the past five years. Grid connections increased by 11% in 2024, although only 65% of the urban population and 12% of the rural population have access to reliable supply. Modern bioenergy capacity is expanding, with bioethanol production reaching 1 billion litres and pellet production capacity reaching 600 kt per year. Approximately 20 major cookstove manufacturing facilities are now operational across the region.

Policy inventory and progress

Policy momentum has intensified with over 120 new policies and programmes implemented or announced since 2024. By 2025, 84% of the population without access lived in countries adopting new policies. Thirty-one countries have published clean cooking targets since 2024. To improve affordability, 16 countries introduced fiscal incentives such as VAT reductions or import duty exemptions on LPG fuel, cylinders, and improved cookstoves between 2024 and early 2026.