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.
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.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in Enugu, the state capital, for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.
Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The ITF disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
According to the statement, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20tn to the global economy in the coming years.
He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.
Earlier, Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the ITF, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He explained that the Fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into public-private partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The ITF delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
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