Cookstove Production & Distribution (Togo & Benin)

Fuelling Change: Cookstove Production & Distribution in Togo & Benin

In many parts of West Africa, including Togo and Benin, the daily act of cooking can pose significant health and environmental challenges. Millions of households still rely on traditional open fires or inefficient charcoal stoves, leading to harmful indoor air pollution, accelerated deforestation, and substantial economic burdens from fuel collection or purchase. However, a quiet revolution is underway through the production and distribution of improved cookstoves (ICS).

These initiatives are not just about providing a better way to cook; they're about fostering local economies, empowering women, and building a more sustainable future.

The Urgency for Improved Cookstoves

The impact of traditional cooking methods is stark:

• Health: Indoor air pollution from burning biomass (wood, charcoal) causes respiratory illnesses, eye problems, and other chronic conditions, disproportionately affecting women and children who spend the most time near the stoves. The World Bank notes that nearly 600,000 Africans die annually from household air pollution.

• Environment: The demand for firewood and charcoal contributes heavily to deforestation and land degradation, exacerbating climate change and threatening biodiversity. Traditional stoves consume much more fuel than necessary.

• Economic Burden: Families spend significant time and money collecting or purchasing fuel, diverting resources that could be used for education, healthcare, or other productive activities.

Improved cookstoves address these issues head-on by being more fuel-efficient, reducing smoke emissions, and often offering greater durability.

Togo's Cookstove Revolution: A Model of Local Production

Togo has emerged as a compelling example of successful cookstove initiatives, largely driven by local manufacturing and distribution networks. Partners like ClimeCo and Arborify, in collaboration with Togolese non-profits like AGAIB Centrale, have established robust programs.

• Local Manufacturing: A key to Togo's success is the in-country production of cookstoves using recycled materials. This approach not only supports a circular economy but also creates significant local employment opportunities. Projects have employed hundreds of people, including welders, administrators, and women in distribution networks, fostering skill development within communities.

• Diverse Stove Types: Initiatives in Togo focus on various stove types, including "Himalayan" cookstoves for open fire users (wood fuel) and "ASUTO" cookstoves for charcoal users. This caters to diverse cooking habits and fuel preferences.

• Scale and Impact: Over 80,000 high-efficiency cookstoves have been distributed, serving more than 100,000 households. This translates to substantial savings for families (e.g., 142,229 CFA/year/household in fuel costs) and significant time savings for women (268 hours/year/household), freeing them for other activities.

• Sustainable Development Goals: The Togo Cookstove Project aligns with multiple UN SDGs, including No Poverty, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, and Life on Land. Robust monitoring, including geotagging and heat sensors, ensures accountability and verifiable emission reductions.

Benin's Progress: Empowering Communities and Building Markets

Benin is also making strides in clean cooking access, with various organizations and government initiatives pushing for wider adoption of ICS and cleaner fuels.

• Market-Based Approaches: Programs like EnDev Benin, supported by the EU, focus on building sustainable markets for clean cooking technologies. They directly assist the private sector with technical assistance and financial support, aiming to professionalize and modernize cookstove production and distribution.

• Empowering Women: Initiatives in Benin actively involve women entrepreneurs in the production and distribution networks. Projects like the "Mothers' Clubs" train women to make and use improved cookstoves from local clay, empowering them with skills and reducing their daily struggles related to fuel collection.

• Diversification of Solutions: Beyond biomass cookstoves, efforts are being made to diversify the offerings, including the deployment of e-cookers, especially for urban restaurants, indicating a forward-looking approach to clean cooking.

• Addressing the "Last Mile": Organizations like Geres are working to facilitate access to energy and energy efficiency in rural areas, supporting small local businesses and women food processors with improved cooking technologies to reduce pollution and improve health conditions.

• Challenges Remain: Despite progress, challenges in Benin include low access to electricity (especially in rural areas), reliance on solid biomass, and the need for continued market development and consumer awareness.

Common Challenges and the Path Forward

While significant progress has been made in both Togo and Benin, the journey to universal clean cooking is ongoing. Common challenges in the region include:

• Affordability: The initial cost of improved cookstoves can still be a barrier for low-income households, requiring innovative financing mechanisms.

• Awareness and Behavioral Change: Educating communities about the benefits of ICS and encouraging sustained adoption can be challenging, as traditional cooking habits are deeply ingrained.

• Distribution Networks: Reaching remote rural areas effectively remains a logistical hurdle, requiring robust and localized distribution channels.

• Quality Control: Ensuring the consistent production of high-quality, durable stoves is essential for long-term user satisfaction and impact.

The success stories in Togo and Benin demonstrate that local production, combined with strategic partnerships and a focus on community empowerment, can drive meaningful change. By continuing to invest in sustainable manufacturing, strengthening distribution networks, and prioritizing user-centric designs, these West African nations are not just providing cleaner ways to cook; they are truly fuelling change for healthier lives, stronger economies, and a greener planet.