Kenyans are among thousands of low-income households set to benefit from a Ksh 1.3 billion ($10 million) clean energy initiative launched by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to distribute 115,000 electric cookers across Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.
The project is capitalised through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), is supported by a $5 million senior loan from the Spark+ Africa Fund, a $4 million reimbursable grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), and $1 million in equity from Burn Manufacturing Company.
Designed to ease dependence on charcoal, the programme uses a carbon-financed model to make induction cookers more accessible and affordable.
Users will pay through a pay-as-you-go system, with upfront costs offset by revenue from carbon credits in the voluntary market.
“The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, is tackling charcoal dependence in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia with a $4 million reimbursable grant,” read part of a statement from the Bank.
AfDB’s Grant to Fund Burn’s Electric Cooking Expansion in East and Southern Africa
The grant will finance the Burn Electric Cooking Expansion Program (BEEP), which will deploy 115,000 Burn ECOA electric induction cookers to low-income, grid-connected households currently using charcoal.
Additionally, the program will be implemented by Burn, a Kenya-based clean cookstove company and carbon developer operating in more than 10 African countries.
The SPV will oversee sales, distribution, and after-sales service, while carbon credit revenues from the cookers will be shared among investors.
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This innovative approach is expected to improve access to clean cooking, reduce emissions, create jobs, and strengthen local supply chains across the three countries.
Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director at the African Development Bank, said the project is the Bank’s first carbon finance deal.
He noted that SEFA is helping reduce risks in the carbon market and improve the program’s financial stability.
“The program aligns with SEFA’s thematic area on Energy Efficiency, catalysing private sector investments in efficient appliances and promoting scale-up of clean cooking technologies,” AFDB added.
“It also supports the Mission 300 Initiative and the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aim to deliver universal energy access through low-carbon solutions.”
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BURN Scales Up Clean Cooking with AfDB Support
Peter Scott, Founder and CEO of BURN, said they were honoured to receive the investment from the African Development Bank’s SEFA—its first-ever investment in carbon projects focused on electric cooking.
“This milestone enables BURN to rapidly scale our IoT-enabled induction stove across Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, providing low-income households with a zero-emission, digitally monitored alternative to charcoal and wood,” said Peter Scott.
“By integrating cutting-edge technology, carbon financing, and mobile-enabled Pay-As-You-Cook models, we are demonstrating that electric cooking can be clean, affordable, and scalable across the continent.”
Beyond the environmental and health benefits, the program is expected to stimulate job creation and strengthen local supply chains, paving the way for a cleaner, more prosperous future for communities across Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.
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