News
Achieving Universal Clean Cooking Fuel in Africa
By Okoko Chidozie Christian
[email protected]; 09025179984
Every person needs food to sustain their lives. The vast majority of staple foods about 95% needs cooking before they can be eaten, and most people cook at least 2-3 times per day.
Clean cooking fuel, as fuel with very low level of polluting emission when burned requires technological education from design and construction to proper use and maintenance. These clean cooking fuels include: biogas, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, ethanol, natural gas and solar power (BLEENS).
The extraction and use of wood for energy is prominent in developing country with more than 80% of households in Sub-Saharan African (Angola, Nigeria, Ghana etc.) depending on wood energy. Frequently, biomass such as firewood, charcoal, dungs and agricultural residue fuel is among the available energy source especially in the rural areas, and mainly burned on inefficient open fire and traditional stoves.
The combustion process guarantee smoke; and this smoke contains a complex mixture of numerous substances composed of various organic and inorganic compounds. These compounds are toxic and dangerous to the health system of human beings. This is because they contain carbon-monoxide, nitrogen, sulphur oxide, carbon-dioxide, aldehydes, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, chlorinated dioxins, free radicals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Access to modern energy remains a major problem in developing countries; however, poorer countries suffer more from energy access problems. More than 50% of death from pneumonia, cancer and chronic lung disease in Sub-Saharan Africa is due to combustion of solid fuels. Among women, there is a high association between fuelwood combustion, high risk of chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease especially asthma and cataract. Childhood respiratory infections such as pneumonia have been highly associated with fuel wood combustion (WHO, 2016).
Many countries in Africa lack access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, and the transition to sustainable energy requires an assessment of drivers of the use of clean energy and dirty fuel for cooking. Though, access to clean fuel such as electricity promotes clean fuel use; it does not necessarily lead to a complete transition to the use of clean fuel, hence most households continue using traditional fuel in addition to the clean fuel. Despite massive efforts aimed at substituting and electrification, the number of people relying on biomass is slightly decreasing.
In 2018, about 2.8billion people use biomass fuels for cooking. And, it is estimated that by 2030, about 2.52billion people will still cook with biomass. Apart from the role of biomass for cooking, it is considered “dirty “and “backward” and seldom associated with “modern energy.” Yet, biomass has come to stay.
Recently, civil societies, academic institutions and international co-operations promoted the use of clean cooking fuel, thereby undertaken small initiatives to replace the traditional cooking fuel. But, to have a real impact on the welfare of the people, it is necessary to join effort and work together with the public sectors.
Nevertheless, this would be an extensive action in terms of health, and this is the time to expand ideas and propose a comprehensive approach to remove all the smokes from our homes knowing very well that healthy people are generally more productive, enabling some people to break the vicious cycle of poverty.
Africa Clean Cooking Energy Solution (ACCES) Initiative has earlier organized enlightenment campaigns in improving health condition, counteract climate change and decrease negative socio-economic impacts of traditional cooking stove by introducing clean cooking technologies and clean cooking fuels.
They reiterated that smoke produced by traditional stoves in household or rural areas has harmful effects on the health families posing a challenge of almost 1/3 of the African population. Hence, efforts are being made to remove any device that generates harmful pollutants to human health, namely candles and oil lamps to mention but a few.
Since 2015, Universal Access to Energy has been on every national agenda as well as international co-operation. “Energy for all” means providing access to electricity for more than 1/5 of the world population, but the more challenging is providing access to sustainable, affordable and clean cooking energy for more than 1/3 of the world population.
Access to modern cooking energy has so many tasks to international development co-operations. It will improve the situation related to education, health, rural development, good governance and sustainable economic development by instigating cooking energy awareness campaigns to school children and women.
We are aware that for generations, families in rural areas have developed practices that require no modern cooking fuel maintenance or cleaning. In this perspective, it is necessary to enhance intervention plans to incorporate activities that ensure sustainability for the clean cooking fuel users to take ownership of the new technologies.
According to the Cooking Energy Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Universal Access to Energy, there is a higher share of renewable energy and massive improvements in energy efficiency as part of the top global priorities for sustainable development in the years to come.
Mobility technology company, Moove has raised $250 million in a Series C funding round at a valuation of $2.1 billion, reaching unicorn status.
The startup will deploy the fresh capital to build out autonomous vehicle infrastructure, expand fleet ownership, construct robotics-focused “Nests” for charging and maintenance, and grow its autonomous workforce from 150 to 500 by year-end.
The company plans to enter additional global markets, reflecting a strategy to build the operational infrastructure required for large-scale autonomous transportation rather than simply supplying vehicles.
Led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s Growth Fund, and Ion Pacific, the round also included new investors BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group, alongside existing backers BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton and Uber.
“Autonomous mobility is becoming an infrastructure race requiring fleets, charging systems, maintenance, data infrastructure and continuous city-level operations,” said Ladi Delano, co-founder, co-CEO and advisory board chairman of Moove.
Founded in Lagos in 2020, Moove has grown into a global mobility platform employing about 3,300 people across 29 cities in 13 countries, operating approximately 42,000 vehicles and reaching $420 million in annualised recurring revenue.
It has expanded organically and through acquisitions, including Kovi in Brazil and Tokyo Taxi in Japan. Moove also operates autonomous vehicle fleets in partnership with Waymo in Phoenix and Miami, with London expected to join its footprint.
The $2.1 billion valuation places Moove among Africa’s small group of tech unicorns, alongside Flutterwave, OPay, Moniepoint, Andela, Chipper Cash, Wave, Tyme, MNT-Halan and Interswitch.
The $250 million round is the largest single funding deal announced by an African startup this year, though EV mobility firm Spiro raised $270 million cumulatively across two separate rounds.
Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
L – R: Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance; Pastor Jerry Eze, incoming director, Heirs Life Assurance
The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one percent – among the lowest globally – highlighting the need to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance.
As Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making insurance accessible to every Nigerian, Eze’s appointment brings a unique perspective on community engagement, value-based leadership, and broad societal impact.
Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America.
He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he has become one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation.
Beyond ministry, Eze is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.
In 2026, he announced N1billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said: “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities.
“As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians.
“We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said: “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.
“I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
Heirs Life Assurance has become one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
It is one of the three insurance businesses of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
Combining an omni-channel digital presence with physical branches spread across the country, Heirs Life continues to redefine life insurance through innovation, customer-centric solutions, and a commitment to making financial protection accessible to every Nigerian.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, collectively serves over 3 million people directly and indirectly.
The Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.
The World Bank Group has announced the 31-month debarments of United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu, its owner and president, “in connection with fraudulent practices under the Enhancing Niger Northeastern Connectivity Project,” according to a press release issued by the multilateral development bank.
The statement said that the project aims to enhance connectivity and road safety along the Zinder-Agadez Road section and improve access to basic socioeconomic infrastructure for selected communities in that road section.
However, according to the statement: “UNASEL and Mr. Mamu presented false experience documents in a prequalification application to qualify for a contract under the project. This was a fraudulent practice under the World Bank’s sanctions framework.”
“The debarments make UNASEL and Mr. Mamu ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by Bank Group institutions. The debarments are part of two settlement agreements under which UNASEL and Mr. Mamu admit culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices,” it added.
The statement further said: “Per the Bank Group Sanctioning Guidelines, the settlement agreements provide for a reduced period of debarment in light of UNASEL and Mr. Mamu’s cooperation.
As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, UNASEL and Mr. Mamu commit to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines, and Mr. Mamu further agrees to complete corporate ethics training.
UNASEL and Mr. Mamu also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.
“The debarments of UNA SEL and Mr. Mamu qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.”
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