Over 60 countries, developments institutions and companies pledged on Tuesday May 14 a total of $2.2 billions to finance access to clean cooking solutions in Africa and reduce the collateral health and environmental risks related to harmfull cooking methods.worldwide still cook their meals on open fires or on basic stoves, breathing in harmful smoke released from burning solid fuels such as coal, charcoal, firewood, and agricultural wastes.
The $2.2 billion fund will be used to support the uptake of clean cooking stoves and equipment as well as electricity and gas infrastructures. Norway, co-chair of the Summit pledged approximately $50 million, continuting ‘to be a trusted partner for our friends in Africa,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
For Suluhu Hassan, adoption of clean cooking will foster gender equality in the continent, and diminish harmfull emissions as well as deforestations.