• Rwanda signed a deal with Bboxx to provide 50,000 LPG cooking kits to low-income households.

• The project aims to cut reliance on wood and charcoal and promote cleaner energy use.

• Over 7,000 kits have already reached more than 35,000 people in three districts.

The Rwandan government has partnered with Bboxx to supply 50,000 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cooking kits to low-income households across five districts over 18 months. Implemented with Forward7, a program backed by Saudi Arabia, the initiative marks another step in Rwanda’s efforts to reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal.

According to a statement released by Bboxx on November 5, each household will receive a complete kit including a two-burner stove, a 12 kg gas cylinder, and a smart valve equipped with a pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) system. This digital model allows families to pay in small installments and better manage their energy expenses. More than 7,000 kits have already been deployed in Kigali, Rwamagana, and Musanze, reaching over 35,000 people.

“We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Government of Rwanda through this landmark initiative. It demonstrates how governments and innovators can work together to deliver affordable, scalable solutions that improve lives and protect the environment,” said Anthony Osijo, CEO of Bboxx.

According to the World Bank, Rwanda updated its Biomass Energy Strategy (BEST 2019–2030) in 2019 to eliminate inefficient cooking practices by 2030 and promote clean alternatives such as LPG, biogas, and electricity. The strategy supports the country’s climate and health goals while encouraging sustainable forest management.

The partnership with Bboxx aligns with Rwanda’s broader energy transition and reflects a wider African context where access to clean cooking remains limited. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that four out of five households in sub-Saharan Africa still rely on traditional fuels such as firewood and charcoal, worsening deforestation, respiratory diseases, and energy poverty.

In response, several African countries are advancing policies to promote modern cooking solutions like LPG, biogas, and improved stoves. Rwanda’s initiative exemplifies this growing commitment and could inspire similar programs aimed at expanding access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy across the continent.

Abdoullah Diop