Multilateral financial institution the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $8.79 million in financing for the Uganda Biogas and Electric Cooking Project (UBEP). A national program, the project aims to increase access to clean cooking solutions and reduce the reliance on biomass in the country.
The project has four components. It will fund the construction of 47 biogas plants for schools, markets and farming communities to reduce biomass use in public institutions by up to 50%. It also includes the provision of 77,000 electric cooking devices in urban areas to increase household adoption of electric cooking. Other components include support for market development – such as standards, repair services and distribution systems – and technical assistance and training for local SMEs and technicians to improve long-term sustainability.
Josephine Ngure, Country Manager for Uganda, AfDB, said the project “is a major milestone to help reduce the estimated half a million early deaths of women and children across Africa annually due to pollution from open fires.” She added that promoting electric cooking supports Uganda’s target of reaching 18% electric cooking adoption by 2030.
With 89% of Ugandans reliant on biomass for cooking, the UBEP aims to reduce this dependence through the installation of biogas systems and the distribution of electric cooking appliances. Funding is primarily sourced from the African Development Fund’s Climate Action Window, with support from the UK government and Uganda.
