Roadmap For Clean Cooking: WLGA Takes Bold Steps To Transform Africa’s Energy Landscape

Roadmap For Clean Cooking: WLGA Takes Bold Steps To Transform Africa’s Energy Landscape

The World Liquefied Gas Association (WLGA) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize access to clean cooking solutions across Africa. The newly launched “LPG Roadmap for Africa,” crafted by S&P Global Commodity Insights and commissioned by the Cooking For Life Africa (CFLA) Task Force, is set to accelerate the adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking, targeting underserved communities across the continent.

 

The CFLA Task Force includes industry heavyweights such as Amtrol Alfa, Equinor, Hexagon Ragasco, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Oryx Energies, Petredec, S&P Global, SHV Energy, and TotalEnergies. Together, they are spearheading this roadmap to address the critical lack of clean cooking solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 900 million people still rely on harmful biomass fuels such as wood, coal, and dung for cooking.

 

Key Actions to Achieve Clean Cooking Access

 

The “LPG Roadmap for Africa” outlines three key calls to action for public and private sectors to ensure full access to clean cooking by 2030:

 

Strengthen Regulatory Frameworks: Establish enforceable regulations to scale up the LPG market in Africa.

 

Enable Consumer Financing: Implement financing and payment plans to overcome economic barriers faced by households.

 

Invest in Infrastructure: Develop robust storage, distribution, and delivery networks, particularly in remote areas.

 

Currently, nearly one-third of the global population—approximately 2.5 billion people—lack access to clean cooking solutions, with Africa accounting for a significant share. The reliance on traditional biomass fuels contributes to severe health risks, environmental degradation, and deforestation.

 

Benefits of Switching to LPG

 

The shift from firewood to LPG as a primary cooking fuel presents numerous advantages for African households and the environment:

 

Health: Indoor air pollution from biomass fuels is reduced by 98%, significantly lowering the risks of premature deaths and respiratory illnesses.

 

Environment: Saves 1.2 million hectares of forest annually and reduces black carbon emissions by 117 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

 

Economic Impact: Reduces CO2 emissions by 279 million tons annually—equivalent to the yearly emissions of mid-sized countries like Taiwan or Malaysia.

 

James Rockall, CEO of WLGA, emphasized the social and environmental impact of clean cooking solutions, stating, “An equitable, fit-for-purpose transition means empowering marginalized communities and fostering a more inclusive future. Access to clean cooking supplies will not only enhance living standards but also reduce environmental impacts.”

 

Alex Grant, Senior Vice President at Equinor, echoed these sentiments: “Equinor is committed to a just and inclusive energy transition that brings long-term benefits. This roadmap highlights LPG’s critical role in achieving these goals.”

 

Huub Stokman, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, added, “The roadmap targets over 60% of Africa’s population without access to clean cooking, addressing economic, health, and environmental challenges in a sustainable manner.”

 

The “LPG Roadmap for Africa” is a pivotal step in bridging the gap between energy poverty and sustainability. By uniting industry leaders, governments, and local communities, the WLGA and the CFLA Task Force are working to create a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for Africa.

 

As Moussa Diao, CEO of Oryx Energies, aptly stated, “Our investments in LPG capabilities not only address immediate health and environmental concerns but also foster long-term economic and social benefits.” With the roadmap’s implementation, Africa is poised to lead the way in transforming clean cooking accessibility, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

• Lpg
• cooking gas
• wlga
• Clean cooking
• Africa
• energy