The Federal Government has commenced the nationwide rollout of 80 million clean cookstoves, marking a major step in Nigeria’s climate action strategy and energy transition agenda.
The programme, implemented by Greenplint Africa, is designed to address environmental degradation, promote sustainable energy use, and improve public health outcomes, particularly for women and children who are disproportionately affected by traditional cooking methods.
The initiative recently secured a significant boost through a partnership with a United Kingdom-based organisation, which committed to procuring 24 million cookstoves to accelerate distribution across the country. The agreement was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in the presence of key stakeholders, including representatives of the Lagos State Government.
Government officials described the programme as transformative, noting its potential to stimulate green job creation, expand economic opportunities, and support Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its revenue base beyond oil.
The manufacturing agreement represents a critical milestone for the initiative, which was originally launched in October 2024. According to the Group Chief Executive Officer of Greenplint Africa, Olawale Akinwumi, full-scale distribution has now commenced nationwide.
He disclosed that the programme targets the delivery of at least two million cookstoves per state, with implementation already underway in Lagos, Niger, and Benue states, signalling early-stage nationwide coverage.
Further outlining the rollout plan, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Aina, said households will receive clean cookstoves valued at $320 each at no cost. He added that the initiative also integrates a large-scale environmental component, including the planting of hundreds of millions of economic trees across Nigeria’s senatorial districts to combat deforestation.
Aina stated that the project will establish local manufacturing factories and training academies nationwide, with projections of approximately 3,000 permanent jobs per state. He emphasised that the programme prioritises youth and women, noting that participating women are expected to earn stable monthly incomes over a 15-year period through the initiative’s value chain.
He further revealed that the programme has already secured funding commitments estimated at $7.5 million, alongside pilot distributions in Lagos and partnerships with global climate institutions, including the UK Carbon Registry.
On the public health front, Aina highlighted the risks associated with traditional cooking methods, explaining that prolonged exposure to biomass smoke is comparable to heavy cigarette consumption and contributes significantly to respiratory diseases across Africa. He said the clean cookstoves are expected to drastically reduce these health risks.
Experts have endorsed the initiative, citing its relevance in addressing the growing impact of climate change. A professor from the University of Lagos described the project as timely, referencing rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns across the country.
Environmental stakeholders, including a former General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, also called for wider participation to maximise impact.
Speaking for the state government, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed Lagos State’s support, describing the cookstoves value chain as a significant opportunity for both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
The initiative is registered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is backed by a $1.5 billion carbon credit framework. In addition to distributing 80 million energy-efficient cookstoves by 2030, the programme includes plans to plant four billion trees nationwide.
With its combined focus on climate action, public health, and economic empowerment, the rollout positions Nigeria as a leading player in Africa’s transition to a sustainable green economy.
