By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
African leaders have called
for increased financing, stronger partnerships and practical implementation to
expand access to clean cooking across the continent, as the issue gained
further high-level attention at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye.
The call was made during the
Leaders' Roundtable on Clean Cooking in Africa, co-hosted by the COP31
Presidency, Tanzania and the International Energy Agency (IEA), which brought
together Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Vice President of Lesotho,
Somalia's Deputy Minister, senior government representatives and heads of
international organisations.
The discussions reinforced a
shared message that Africa must move beyond political commitments to practical
implementation, financing and partnerships capable of delivering clean cooking
access at scale.
Speaking on behalf of Kenya,
the country's Special Envoy for Climate Change, Ambassador Ali Mohamed,
highlighted Kenya's commitment to achieving universal clean cooking access by
2028.
He also outlined
approximately US$600 million in institutional investment opportunities,
alongside ongoing efforts to develop bankable investment pipelines to support
the country's clean cooking ambitions.
Ambassador Mohamed reflected
on the momentum generated during the historic UNGA81 High-Level Event,
co-hosted by Kenya and Norway, and emphasised the need to translate political
commitments into tangible investment and implementation outcomes.
The roundtable also
highlighted the importance of mobilising finance, empowering women and local
enterprises, expanding clean cooking access in households and public
institutions, and strengthening international cooperation.
As part of efforts to
advance the agenda, Ambassador Mohamed invited governments, investors and
development partners to participate in the Second Africa Clean Cooking Summit,
scheduled for January 27–28, 2027, in Nairobi, Kenya.
The summit is expected to
provide an opportunity to advance concrete investment commitments and
implementation partnerships to accelerate clean cooking adoption across Africa.
