Akinwumi A. Adesina, the 8th elected President of the African Development Bank Group, is leading efforts to address energy poverty in Africa through innovative solutions such as M-Gas. This gas energy company is revolutionizing clean cooking in Kenya, particularly in the sprawling informal settlement of Mukuru on the outskirts of Nairobi.
One resident of Mukuru, Aurelia Aureh, shares her experience of transitioning from charcoal to M-Gas for cooking. She highlights the cost savings, convenience, and safety benefits of using this clean cooking solution. With M-Gas, low-income households can access liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in small quantities through a pay-as-you-cook model, making it affordable and accessible for those who cannot afford the upfront cost of gas cylinders.
The African Development Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor, recently visited Nairobi to explore opportunities for collaboration in the clean cooking sector. He met with Martin Kimani, the CEO of M-Gas, and discussed partnership opportunities to advance Africa’s energy transition. Quaynor also interacted with residents of Mukuru, such as Mercy Karimi, who shared how M-Gas has improved her child’s health by eliminating exposure to harmful fumes from kerosene.
Clean cooking is a priority area for the African Development Bank, which has pledged $2 billion over 10 years towards clean cooking solutions in Africa. Despite improvements in access to electricity, millions of people across Africa still rely on traditional cooking methods that pose health risks due to toxic fumes and smoke. M-Gas is playing a crucial role in addressing this challenge by providing affordable and clean cooking solutions to households in Kenya.
Quaynor’s visit to the M-Gas depot in Ruaka further highlighted the impact of this innovative solution on households and businesses. Residents like Stephen Njogu and business owners like Faith Kamau shared their positive experiences with M-Gas, emphasizing the cost savings, cleanliness, and reliability of the system. Quaynor emphasized the importance of partnerships with the private sector to catalyze investments in clean cooking solutions and address energy poverty in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7.
The African Development Bank’s commitment to investing $200 million per year towards clean cooking solutions is a significant step towards ensuring access to clean and sustainable energy for all Africans by 2030. Through initiatives like M-Gas, the Bank is working towards improving the lives of millions of people by providing them with safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly cooking solutions.
