In a bold move to reduce charcoal dependency and improve access to clean cooking solutions, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has announced a $4 million reimbursable grant to support a new regional electric cooking initiative. The grant will help fund the Burn Electric Cooking Expansion Program (BEEP), an ambitious project that aims to deploy 115,000 electric induction cookers to low-income households in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. By targeting grid-connected homes that still rely heavily on charcoal, the program seeks to advance clean, affordable, and scalable alternatives across the continent.
Innovative Model for Affordability and Impact
BEEP will be implemented by BURN, a Kenya-based clean cookstove manufacturer and carbon project developer operating in more than 10 African countries. Through a unique financing model, the program will prefinance the cookers and recover costs via carbon credit revenues in the voluntary carbon market. The model integrates carbon-backed subsidies with pay-as-you-go plans, drastically reducing the upfront financial burden for end-users and expanding accessibility to cleaner cooking technologies.
Carbon Finance Powers a Scalable Solution
The initiative is being capitalized through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising a $5 million senior loan from the Spark+ Africa Fund, SEFA’s $4 million grant, and $1 million in equity from BURN Manufacturing. This SPV will work in partnership with BURN to oversee the sales, distribution, and maintenance of the electric cookers across the three countries. The cookers will generate carbon credits owned by the SPV, with revenues shared among investors, ensuring financial sustainability while reducing emissions.
A First for Carbon Finance and Electric Cooking
This project marks a milestone for the African Development Bank, representing its first-ever carbon finance transaction focused specifically on electric cooking solutions. According to Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at AfDB, SEFA's role in mitigating carbon market risk has been pivotal in ensuring the program’s financial and operational viability. The move underscores the Bank’s commitment to pioneering innovative, climate-resilient solutions that benefit both the environment and low-income communities.
Supporting Broader Continental Goals
The BEEP initiative aligns with several of AfDB’s strategic priorities, including SEFA’s focus on energy efficiency and the Mission 300 Initiative aimed at clean cooking. It also supports the Bank’s broader New Deal on Energy for Africa, which promotes universal energy access through low-carbon, inclusive approaches. By facilitating large-scale adoption of electric cookers, the program not only reduces indoor air pollution but also promotes sustainable energy use and private sector engagement in clean tech development.
Empowering Communities Through Technology
Peter Scott, Founder and CEO of BURN, emphasized the transformative potential of the investment. He highlighted the company’s strategy of integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology, mobile-enabled “Pay-As-You-Cook” models, and carbon financing to make clean cooking practical and affordable. Scott noted that the initiative provides a zero-emission, digitally monitored alternative to charcoal and wood, tailored to the needs of underserved households across the three participating countries.
Economic and Social Ripple Effects
Beyond environmental and health benefits, the program is expected to stimulate economic growth by creating new jobs and strengthening local supply chains in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. The manufacturing, distribution, and servicing of the cookers will offer employment opportunities and build local expertise in clean energy technology. As the program scales, it could serve as a model for other regions seeking to transition from traditional fuels to cleaner alternatives.
The BEEP program marks a turning point in Africa’s journey toward sustainable energy access, demonstrating that electric cooking can be both affordable and scalable with the right financial and technological innovations. With backing from AfDB, SEFA, and private sector partners, BURN is poised to deliver cleaner, healthier, and more efficient cooking solutions to thousands of households. As implementation begins, the initiative offers a hopeful blueprint for tackling energy poverty and climate challenges through inclusive, market-driven solutions.