20 Million+ (98.5%)
Population without access to clean cooking (Source: WB, 2023)
21+
Active clean cooking ventures (Source: CCA)
3+
Number of clean cooking RBFs (Source: CCA)
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The clean cooking industry in Malawi is characterized by a heavy reliance on traditional biomass fuels, with over 90% of households depending on wood and charcoal, mostly sourced unsustainably (Eni). This dependence contributes to significant health and environmental costs, estimated at around US$8.6 billion annually, of which US$3.2 billion results from health impacts and US$0.9 billion from climate-related damage (MECS).
Since 2013, Malawi has made considerable strides through the Presidential Initiative on Cookstoves, distributing around 2 million clean cookstoves by 2020. The government aims to build on this progress by distributing an additional 2 million cookstoves by 2026, targeting approximately 20% household coverage(MECS). Despite increasing electrification, with about 14% of households connected to electricity, less than 2% use electric cooking as their primary energy source (UNDP).
Common clean cooking solutions in Malawi include improved biomass cookstoves designed to use fuel more efficiently and reduce indoor air pollution. Locally produced models, such as the Zipolopolo FAST cookstove, often use agricultural waste. Advanced biomass gasifier stoves are also being piloted in urban areas. Alternative fuels and technologies include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which the government promotes mainly in urban and peri-urban settings through incentives and public awareness campaigns. Electric cooking, comprising devices like electric pressure cookers, is supported through Malawi’s eCooking Roadmap but remains largely restricted to urban households. Biogas systems are being piloted in schools, converting organic waste into cooking fuel, while solar-powered cooking solutions have also been introduced in some educational institutions to reduce reliance on biomass and improve air quality. Although options such as bioethanol and improved charcoal fuels are being explored, their adoption remains limited.
The Malawian government has implemented various initiatives and policies to promote clean cooking. The Presidential Initiative on Clean Cookstoves, launched in 2013 and led by the Ministry of Energy and the National Cookstove Steering Committee, has been central to national efforts. Additionally, Malawi’s commitment under the SDG 7 Cleaner Cooking Energy Compact aims for universal access to climate-friendly cooking by 2030, with a focus on high-efficiency stoves and alternative fuels. VAT has been removed on wood stoves, LPG, and cylinders to enhance affordability. Public-private partnerships play a key role. For example, the School Meals Programme collaborates with the World Food Programme to implement solar and biogas cooking technologies in schools across Chikwawa and Kasungu districts. The government has also developed national standards for cleaner cookstoves, with formal publication pending, and participates in international funding initiatives such as the Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests project and EnDev’s local programs.
Despite progress, significant challenges persist. Biomass fuels remain dominant, and projections suggest that over 88% of households will still rely on firewood, charcoal, and similar fuels by 2030, particularly in rural areas(Eni). Achieving clean cooking targets is estimated to require around US$102.8 million annually, with about US$31.6 million coming from public investment(MECS). Nevertheless, the social and environmental benefits make this investment highly worthwhile. Malawi scores better than both the sub-Saharan African and global averages on the World Bank’s RISE Clean Cooking Index, reflecting a relatively supportive policy environment.
Overall, Malawi’s clean cooking sector has made impactful progress through ambitious targets, government commitment, and partnerships promoting diverse technologies such as improved biomass stoves, LPG, biogas, electric, and solar cooking solutions. Continued investment, rural outreach, and policy support will be critical to expanding access and reaching universal clean cooking by 2030.
