The African Development Bank (AfDBA) pledged $2 billion over 10 years ($200 million annually) towards clean cooking solutions in Africa.
AfDB is looking to save lives of about 600,000 people mainly women and children – lives that are lost annually from the effects of secondary smoke from partial combustion of biomass, fuel wood and charcoal.
According to Solomon Quaynor, such experiences are inspiring the Bank to intensify efforts to increase investments towards affordable clean cooking solutions for millions of Africans who still lack access.
Quaynor is AfDB’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation.
The Bank’s pledge of $200 million per year represents an important contribution to the $4 billion per year needed to allow more African families to have access to clean cooking by 2030.
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“The Bank is working with the private sector, a key player in the energy transition, to catalyze investments in the sector to address energy poverty in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) on affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” said Quaynor.
He met with Martin Kimani, the CEO of M-Gas. They discussed priority areas of partnership towards advancing Africa’s energy transition.
He also met with Circle Gas, the parent company of M-Gas. In particular, Board Chairman Carey Ngini, and Board member Michael Joseph.
Circle Gas has strategic partnerships with institutional partners, including Safaricom (connectivity and M-Pesa payment solutions), and Total Energies (LPG cooking cylinders).
Quaynor visited Mukuru, in the outskirts of Nairobi – Kenya, where he interacted with residents who have for the longest using charcoal for cooking.
