Kampala: The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, is spearheading an initiative to reduce charcoal dependency in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. A $4 million reimbursable grant has been allocated to the Burn Electric Cooking Expansion Program (BEEP), which aims to distribute 115,000 Burn ECOA Electric Induction Cookers to low-income households with grid connectivity, currently relying on charcoal.
According to African Press Organization, Burn, a clean cookstove company based in Kenya, will execute BEEP. The program aims to make clean cooking appliances more accessible by prefinancing induction cookers and recuperating costs through carbon credit sales in the voluntary market. This approach merges carbon-backed subsidies with pay-as-you-go payment plans, considerably reducing upfront expenses for users.
Peter Scott, Founder and CEO of Burn, expressed appreciation for the investment from SEFA, highlighting its role in scaling their IoT-enabled induction stove across the three countries. The project is designed to provide low-income households with a zero-emission alternative to traditional fuels, integrating technology, carbon financing, and mobile-enabled Pay-As-You-Cook models.
Beyond environmental and health improvements, the initiative is expected to create jobs and strengthen local supply chains in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, contributing to a cleaner and more prosperous future for these communities.
