By Jean Baptiste Ndabananiye
The clock is ticking toward 2030 — the year Rwanda has pledged to achieve universal access to electricity, expand its installed electricity capacity to 556 MW from 408 MW in 2022, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38%, and ensure that at least 60% of its energy comes from renewable sources. Alongside this, the government is determined to cut dependence on wood fuel for cooking from nearly 80% of households to just 42%, shifting toward cleaner options like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), electricity, and biogas. These dual ambitions — powering every home while transforming the way families cook — stand at the heart of Rwanda’s energy transition.
Yet the road isn’t flat. Millions of people still rely on wood fuel, electricity demand is climbing rapidly, and rural electrification remains an unfinished task. To bridge this gap, strategies must extend beyond large-scale infrastructure to include decentralized energy systems capable of lighting villages, powering small businesses, and delivering affordable clean cooking alternatives.
Against this backdrop, Rwanda’s Energy Private Developers (EPD), in partnership with government and development actors, is bringing together global leaders, investors, innovators, and researchers for Energy Week 2025 in Kigali. This high-level gathering will not only showcase technologies and policies but also interrogate whether Rwanda — and Africa at large — can realistically accelerate from policy vision to practical, scalable, and affordable solutions. At the heart of this discussion lies one critical question: how can Rwanda’s ambitious energy targets be realized in a way that balances accessibility, affordability, and sustainability?
Energy Week 2025: from policy ambitions to practical solutions
In our last piece , Life In Humanity highlighted “As Rwanda pushes toward its ambitious target of reducing wood fuel dependence to 42% by 2030, this Energy Week could constitute a great opportunity to turn policy ambitions into practical solutions. Energy Week 2025 is more than a conference — it forms one of tests of whether policy ambitions can be transformed into practical solutions that households can afford and trust.”
In the story, we did not indicate whether the target of reducing fuel dependency to 42% would be featured in the week. At the time, EPD was heavily occupied with organizing the event and could not provide a response. However, EPD had assured us that it would respond to us during the week. Fortunately, we have now accessed its concept note which confirms that the issue indeed figures on the agenda.
The note states “The RE4SG Conference and Exhibition will address critical topics under the following themes: implementation of Rwanda NST2: strategies to meet Rwanda’s energy targets for universal access by 2030, with a focus on renewable energy adoption and the scaling of clean cooking solutions. Integrating decentralized energy systems to complement the national grid and accelerate rural electrification efforts.” NST 2 stands for National Strategy for Transformation. RE4SG represents Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth.
According to EPD, EP4SG is continuing to shine as a cornerstone for Africa’s renewable energy ambitions. “The Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth (RE4SG) Conference and Exhibition has grown into a pivotal platform for promoting renewable energy solutions in Africa. Following the success of four previous editions (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2024) held in Kigali, Rwanda, this 5th edition is poised to achieve greater impact.
The previous conferences catalyzed investments, informed policy development, advanced renewable energy technologies, Green Transport, Access to clean cooking, climate finance and carbon credits, gender inclusivity in energy transition facilitated knowledge sharing, and strengthened collaborations among stakeholders.”
The 5th edition is themed “Empowering Africa’s Energy Future: Innovation, Transition, and Sustainability”. It “will elevate the event to a pan-African platform, addressing the continent’s energy challenges and opportunities. Scheduled for September 8th – 12th, 2025, at Norrsken House Kigali from 9th to 10th conference, from 8th to 12th exhibition and matchmaking also at Norrsken, [not ] a Kigali car free zone (Imbuga City), [as initially planned].
The event is organized by Energy Private Developers Association (EPD) in partnership with Strathclyde University and Global Renewables Center (GRC). The conference will explore Rwanda, regional and Africa’s renewable energy, Green Transport, Access to clean cooking, climate finance and carbon market while providing an international platform for business partnerships, showcasing investment opportunities, and fostering dialogue and networking among private and public sector actors.”
World Bank’s Mission 300 constitutes another theme which will be addressed during the week. On this topic, EPD says “Mission 300 is an ambitious initiative by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, in partnership with other development partners, aiming to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030. Africa’s energy sector faces unique challenges that require bold and innovative approaches.
Despite significant progress in some regions, key barriers persist, including low electricity access, heavy reliance on traditional biomass for cooking, and limited financing for renewable energy projects. In this context, Rwanda’s ambitious energy targets provide a roadmap for tackling these challenges while inspiring similar efforts across the continent.”
EPD says that there will be guided discussions on innovative financing, technology deployment, and policy frameworks to accelerate access to sustainable energy, aligning with global commitments for universal energy access by 2030.
Other themes include Sustainable Energy Transition, Productive Use of Energy (PUE), Emerging Energy Technologies, Carbon Markets and Financing, Energy Sector Financing Models, Research and Development, and Just transition and gender. EPD states “Challenges and opportunities in transitioning to renewable energy systems across Africa. Addressing the role of regional power pools and fostering cross-border energy trade to enhance energy security and efficiency. Exploring how energy access drives economic growth through agriculture, small-scale industries, and digital solutions.
Highlighting the transformative impact of energy in e-mobility and refrigeration technologies, particularly for rural communities. Innovations in renewable energy, including hydrogen and nuclear energy for clean power generation. Advancements in energy storage technologies to ensure a reliable and resilient energy supply. Opportunities for technology localization and capacity building in the manufacturing of renewable energy solutions.”
As for Carbon Markets and Financing, Energy Sector Financing Models, Research and Development (R&D), Just transition and gender, EPD highlights “Leveraging carbon markets to incentivize investments in renewable energy projects. Promoting green bonds and innovative financing models to scale up renewable energy deployment. Examining sustainable and inclusive financing mechanisms for large-scale renewable energy projects. Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) and blended finance to attract long-term investments.
Fostering innovation in renewable energy technologies through increased R&D funding and collaborative initiatives. Strengthening local supply chains and promoting indigenous solutions for sustainable energy development. Empowering women for an inclusive energy transition.”
Situation in which this event is going to take place
Africa
AFREC—African Energy Commission— organized an event themed “Side Event on Addressing Clean Cooking Challenges in Africa: Call for African Leadership”. It happened on 12 November 2024. In the background and context under which the event materialized, AFREC pointed out “In Africa, access to clean cooking energy remains a significant challenge for millions. More than 83% of the population in Sub-Saharan African countries depend on traditional cooking methods predominantly biomass (charcoal and firewood), as their primary cooking fuel. Unfortunately, the production and use of biomass are unsustainable, leading to significant health impacts, increased deforestation, environmental degradation, and reduced carbon sinks.
With the continued use of polluting fuels for cooking, Africa, mainly Sub-Saharan Africa, incurs an ongoing cost of US$ 791.4 billion per year, driven by negative externalities in health, economy, and climate. The health impacts alone, including increased risk of respiratory illnesses and household air pollution-related deaths, cost the continent at least US$ 526.3 billion per year. Additionally, the economic toll of the gender impact is manifested through loss of productivity and labour opportunities, disproportionately affect women and children responsible for fuel collection, tending fire and clean cooking appliances.”
Every year, reliance on outdated cooking methods drains resources and strains both communities and the planet, according to AFREC. It underlines that shifting toward modern, efficient solutions can spark progress in health, equality, and economic opportunity. It explains that such a transition also strengthens ecosystems, nurtures local innovation, and empowers younger generations to drive sustainable change. “The climate and environmental impact, in the form of greenhouse gas emissions, further compounds the cost of inaction at US$39.3 billion per year with the annual economic costs estimated at US$225.8 billion.
Therefore, making clean cooking a priority not only supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 on energy access but also contributes to other SDGs related to gender equality, poverty eradication, health, education, and climate action.”
AFREC further says “On the climate agenda, transitioning to clean cooking serves as both a climate mitigation and adaptation strategy. The sector is essential for nature-based solutions and forms part of critical conservation and biodiversity programs as it reduce forest degradation. Development of the sector promises green entrepreneurship opportunities to Africa’s youthful population and helps reduce gender disparities across our communities.”
Achieving widespread access to modern cooking solutions in Africa hinges on bold leadership, inventive funding approaches, and seamless cooperation across public and private sectors. Yet, despite notable advancements, current investments remain insufficient to meet the continent’s ambitious 2030 targets. AFREC reports “To prioritize the clean cooking agenda , Africa requires strong national, regional and continental leadership which should be augmented by innovative financing models; strong partnerships and collaborations across government departments, private sector and development partners, along with sustained industrial efforts.
However, financial flows toward clean cooking initiatives reveal both progress and persistent challenges in recent years. Despite significant strides, investments have fallen far short of the levels required to ensure universal access to modern cooking solutions by 2030.”
Providing safe and efficient cooking solutions across Africa demands substantial annual investment to reach the millions most affected by traditional fuels. Governments and regional bodies have begun responding with coordinated policies and initiatives, signaling a growing commitment to transformative change. “The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that Africa needs about USD 4 billion per year to facilitate promotion and use of clean cooking solutions to 250 million women by 2030 who are largely affected by use of unclean cooking solutions that detrimental to the environment.
This capital investment is required annually to achieve universal clean cooking access for all African people. In addressing the pressing challenges of unclean fuel and technologies, African countries have shown strong political commitment and collaboration by implementing policies, strategies, and plans at both national and continental levels.”
The world
According to the Energy Transitions Commission, around a third of the global population—2.3 billion people— still prepares its meals with the traditional use of biomass (TUOB) with basic technologies. Biomass includes the use of solid biomass such as wood, wood waste, and charcoal, among others. Basic technologies involve open fires and basic stoves, among others.
In its 28 January 2025 piece of writing titled “Improving access to clean cooking: eliminating the traditional use of biomass in low-income countries”, this commission underlines “The energy transition for cooking is not just about transitioning from TUOB, gas and oil stoves to clean electric ones, but also to clean cooking fuels that will improve air quality, health and safety. Electric cooking meets both definitions of “clean” and is growing in importance as an energy source for cooking in high-income countries. Globally, however, it accounts for just 5% of total cooking energy.
High-income countries should entirely electrify cooking by 2040, and China by 2050; electric cooking is healthier, far more efficient and it can be cost-competitive with gas/liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In lower-income countries, the imperative over the coming decades is to eliminate the use of TUOB. But progress towards electrification will be much slower, given the higher cost of electricity relative to other fuel sources, and in some cases a lack of electricity supply and reliable grid infrastructure.”
The commission says that the transition will likely follow several stages. “1. A crucial interim solution in the 2030s is to install improved cookstoves, for example, with chimneys which reduce the amount of smoke in homes. 2. Transition away from TUOB using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This is cleaner from an air quality perspective and cheaper than electric cooking and modern forms of bioenergy. 3. Over time, electricity will play a slowly increasing role, as the costs of stoves fall, the price of solar PV panels and batteries decline, and grids are extended.”
The UN’s 7th Sustainable Development Goal promises to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030. Meanwhile, the IEA reports that as of 2023, approximately 750 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity. This marks a decline from over 760 million in 2022, primarily due to increased grid connections and the adoption of solar home systems, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, this progress indicates that there remains a lot to implement, to accomplish the goal of universal electricity access by 2030. The IEA’s data highlight that over 80% of those without electricity live in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the urgent need for targeted investments and policies to address this disparity.
IEA points out “The number of people worldwide lacking access to electricity in 2023 declined to 750 million people, about 10 million less than in 2022, which was the first year in decades showing a global reversal in progress. Countries in developing Asia also saw significant progress, for instance Bangladesh, which achieved universal access last year.”
In spite of global progress in electrification, IEA indicates that the goal may not be attained. It emphasizes that it will be achieved, if urgent massive action in key countries where access lags far behind is taken. “According to our latest Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) projections, 645 million are projected to remain without access in 2030, of which 85% or about 545 million people are in sub-Saharan Africa. Considerable efforts are needed in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, which together represent more than half of the global population without access to electricity in 2030.
Today, fewer than a fifth of African countries have targets to reach universal electricity access by 2030. On the other hand, many developing countries in Asia are nearly on track to achieve universal access by 2030, leaving only 2% of the population without access in 2030 in the STEPS. However, further efforts are needed in countries such as Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Pakistan. Ensuring universal access to electricity by 2030 will require an investment of USD 50 million each year on average from now.”