The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, has brought attention to the devastating impact of unsafe cooking practices in Africa, revealing that approximately 600,000 women and children die every year due to a lack of access to clean cooking solutions. Speaking at the Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Adesina highlighted the urgent need for action to address this critical issue.
The summit, themed “Mission 300,” is a collaborative initiative involving the AfDB, the World Bank Group, and other global partners. Hosted by the Government of Tanzania, the event aims to address Africa’s energy access challenges through innovative financing and the adoption of new technologies.
The Tragic Toll of Unsafe Cooking Practices
During a panel discussion alongside representatives from the Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank, Adesina shared grim statistics, explaining that smoke from the use of firewood and charcoal for cooking is responsible for the deaths of 300,000 women and 300,000 children annually. He described these deaths as a tragic consequence of inadequate access to clean cooking solutions, noting that over 1.2 billion African women lack such access.
“Another thing that is part of the agenda is access to clean cooking for women. Today we have 1.2 billion women in Africa without access to clean cooking, and we lose 300,000 kids every single year that their mothers carry on their backs because of lack of access to clean food because of the secondary effect of smoke. We lose 300,000 women also every year,” Adesina stated.
The use of firewood and charcoal for cooking not only harms health but also contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation. Adesina lamented the needless loss of lives and called for urgent action to ensure that women in Africa can cook safely without jeopardizing their health or that of their children.
“Why should anybody have to die just for trying to cook a decent meal that is taken for granted in other parts of the world? That is not acceptable! In good conscience, we just can’t do that,” he said.
Funding and Commitments for Clean Cooking Solutions
Adesina emphasized the need for significant financial commitments to achieve universal access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. He disclosed that an estimated $4 billion in annual funding is required, with the AfDB pledging $2 billion towards this goal. He also commended countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ghana for their commitments to achieve 100% access to clean cooking solutions by 2030.
“This initiative transcends energy transition. It’s about preserving lives and upholding dignity,” Adesina said, underscoring the importance of tackling the issue not just from an energy perspective but as a matter of human rights and survival.
Global Support for the Initiative
Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank Group, expressed optimism about the initiative, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment conducive to private-sector participation. Banga highlighted the need for predictable currencies, stable regulatory frameworks, and effective land acquisition processes to encourage investment in clean cooking solutions.
Rajiv Shah, the President of the Rockefeller Foundation, called on global philanthropists to support the initiative. The Rockefeller Foundation committed $65 million to the program, signaling the importance of partnerships and collective action in tackling the issue.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed added her voice to the discussion, emphasizing the transformative impact of energy access on rural communities. She highlighted its potential to drive economic growth through digital financial services, online education, and e-commerce, particularly for women and youth. However, she noted that achieving these goals would require significant financial reforms and greater private-sector engagement.
Key Outcomes of the Africa Energy Summit
The summit aims to produce two major outcomes:
- The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration: This document will outline commitments and actionable reforms from African governments to address energy access challenges.
- National Energy Compacts: These will detail country-specific targets and timelines for implementing critical energy sector reforms, providing a roadmap for achieving universal energy access.
Conclusion
The lack of access to clean cooking solutions in Africa is a pressing issue with devastating human, environmental, and economic consequences. The Africa Energy Summit has brought together key stakeholders to address this challenge, with significant commitments from the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and other global partners.
The initiative’s success will depend on sustained financial investment, private-sector participation, and the implementation of effective policies. With over 600,000 lives lost annually, the stakes are high, but the collaborative efforts showcased at the summit offer hope for a future where clean cooking is a reality for all Africans.
