BURN, a Nairobi-based clean cookstove manufacturer, has entered into a pivotal partnership with the Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group) to scale clean cooking solutions across Mozambique, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The agreement was officially signed on June 23, 2025, and is designed to serve over 430,000 households with BURN’s advanced cooking appliances. The initiative will be backed through a mix of debt and results-based financing provided by TDB and its concessional arm, the Trade and Development Fund (TDF).
Tapping into Mission 300
This large-scale rollout forms part of the TDB Group’s newly established ASCENT platform, which is supported by the World Bank under its broader Mission 300 initiative. Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030, half of them through distributed renewable energy (DRE) and clean cooking technologies. By aligning with this global effort, BURN’s project plays a critical role in closing the energy access gap in some of Africa’s most underserved regions.
Technology-Driven, Climate-Focused
The agreement paves the way for the distribution of BURN’s industry-leading ECOA biomass cookstoves and IoT-enabled induction cookers. These clean appliances are designed to cut emissions, reduce household energy expenses, and eliminate indoor air pollution. Once fully deployed, the project is expected to prevent roughly 3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions and positively impact over 2.1 million people, generating carbon credits that meet CORSIA and ICVCM standards.
A Model for Results-Based Financing
According to Peter Scott, CEO and Founder of BURN, this “first-of-its-kind” deal exemplifies how the future value of carbon credits can be leveraged to subsidize energy access solutions. He noted that TDB’s support will enable significant cost reductions for customers while ensuring returns for investors through carbon offset markets. The partnership is expected to set new standards in both climate finance and clean cooking implementation, creating a replicable model for future engagements with multilateral financiers.
Backing from Global Institutions
Erik Fernstrom, the incoming Regional Director for Infrastructure at the World Bank, described the initiative as a prime example of regional innovation needed to solve Africa’s energy challenges. He emphasized the ASCENT platform’s potential to empower African entrepreneurs and provide scalable, sustainable energy solutions. Mary Kamari, Executive Director of the TDF, highlighted how performance-based grants can blend commercial and catalytic funding to address the continent’s energy equity and sustainability issues.
BURN’s Growing Continental Footprint
This latest initiative marks a significant expansion in BURN’s ongoing mission to bring clean cooking to millions of African households. Since its founding in 2011, the company has sold over 5.4 million clean stoves and now operates in 14 African countries, with manufacturing facilities in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Malawi. With over 3,000 employees, BURN is also one of the few African companies managing the full carbon project lifecycle—from design and monitoring to credit issuance.
The BURN-TDB partnership is a landmark moment in Africa’s clean energy landscape, promising to bring scalable, technology-driven cooking solutions to hundreds of thousands of families. By combining impact-driven finance, innovative carbon monetization, and advanced appliance design, the project is set to deliver both environmental and economic benefits. As clean cooking gains increased attention in climate and development agendas, collaborations like this may prove instrumental in reaching universal energy access across the continent.