Nigeria Emphasizes Clean Cooking as a Key Climate and Investment Strategy

BURN, the preeminent manufacturer of clean cookstoves globally and a prominent carbon project developer, is actively supporting Nigeria's strategy to advance clean cooking as one of the country's most pressing and investable climate interventions, promising reductions in emissions, health benefits, and industrial expansion.

This week, a high-level media roundtable organized by BURN assembled leading editors and reporters specializing in climate, business, and development to discuss clean cooking, carbon finance, and Nigeria's climate objectives. The event delved into how policy, private investments, and local manufacturing can collaboratively facilitate scalable, reliable climate action.

Currently, over 80% of households in Nigeria rely on biomass for cooking, which significantly impacts forests, household finances, and public health systems. Annually, inefficient cooking contributes to nearly one gigaton of CO₂-equivalent emissions globally, making clean cooking a rapid and effective method for Nigeria to fulfill its commitments outlined in its NDC 3.0 and National Energy Transition Plan.

Recent policy developments, such as the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy (NCMAP) and the Tax Reform Act introduced in 2026, have enhanced the investment appeal of clean cooking by providing greater market clarity, regulatory enforcement, and easier access to private funding.

These developments played a critical role in discussions, emphasizing that cohesive policy structures can unlock private-sector-driven climate solutions.

Since BURN began its operations in Nigeria in 2018, it has invested over US$9.6 million in the country, including the establishment of its ISO- certified assembly plant in Kano. The facility has a production capacity of 40,000 clean cooking appliances each month, which can be scaled to 100,000 units, thereby supporting the nation’s industrialization strategy and generating skilled local jobs.

BURN has distributed nearly one million fuel-efficient cookstoves across Nigeria and employs 700 individuals, nearly 40% of whom are women. The organization has utilized carbon finance to subsidize stove prices by 60–100%, translating to approximately US$15 million in savings for Nigerian families, allowing access to stoves priced at US$40 for as little as US$5.

Etulan Ikpoki, Country Manager of BURN Nigeria, stated, "Clean cooking is one of the few climate solutions Nigeria can implement quickly, reliably, and at the household level. When local manufacturing, stringent standards, and carbon finance are synergized, the outcomes are immediate — reduced emissions, healthier families, and tangible economic benefits.

We appreciate the government's proactive stance in establishing policy frameworks that underpin credible carbon markets and clean energy investments."

Olamide Fagbuji, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology & Operations and Co-Chair of the Clean Cooking Alliance, noted, "Clean cooking presents a feasible transition that Nigeria can rapidly implement for immediate family benefits. When technology aligns with strong standards, local manufacturing, and affordable financing, it paves a swift path to meet our climate and energy commitments."

Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement, remarked, "Clean cooking stands out as one of the most lucrative climate initiatives in Nigeria. Our current focus is on converting policy momentum into fundable projects backed by reliable monitoring mechanisms, clear regulations, and unified efforts."

Throughout Africa, BURN has supplied approximately 6.3 million clean cooking appliances, positively influencing the lives of 32.5 million people, saving US$2.3 billion in household fuel expenses, decreasing indoor air pollution by 65–100%, and conserving over 36.5 million tons of wood by reducing deforestation.

ABOUT BURN Nigeria

Founded in 2011, BURN was established to safeguard forests by transforming the cookstove industry. For the past five years, BURN has operated within the Nigerian market and has sold one million units of its highly efficient wood and charcoal cooking appliances, thereby benefiting over 1.4 million individuals.

While conventional cookstoves can drive families into poverty, harm their health, and devastate forests, BURN’s high-quality stoves help families save on fuel costs, reduce indoor air pollution, and protect forest ecosystems.

BURN has become the leading clean cooking enterprise globally, and is one of the rare carbon project developers that manages the entire carbon value chain, from project development and internal monitoring to credit issuance.