Excerpts from this article first appeared in Business Daily Africa in the lead-up to the second Africa Climate Summit in 2025.

By centering climate responses within Africa’s development needs, the continent can unlock new investments, boost incomes, and enhance its resilience. As leaders gather in Addis Ababa for the Africa Climate Summit, the continent must define a bold narrative that strategically links climate action with development progress.

Climate change should not be a global emergency that Africa is simply signing up to solve. This crisis is already costing Africa billions every year, and an estimated 110 million people have been directly affected by climate-related hazards.

Climate action can and must be made to work for Africa by recasting it through an Africa-centered development lens. Responses to the climate crisis offer Africa an opportunity to leverage climate solutions and sustainable technologies to increase incomes, accelerate poverty reduction, and improve adaptation and resilience.

African and global leaders will be converging at the second Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia from 5 to 10 September. When we gather in Addis Ababa, we must use the Summit as a platform to drive bold reforms and ambitious actions that can repurpose climate change solutions to address Africa’s core development imperatives.

Framing climate action as an opportunity for Africa’s development

Income growth and poverty reduction remain as Africa’s core development pathway, the rising tide that promises improvements across all other social, economic and political indicators.

Africa’s income growth and poverty reduction needs are clear. The average GDP per capita of Sub-Saharan Africa was $1,506 USD in 2024, 40% lower than middle-income countries, and 90% lower than upper upper-middle-income countries. The continent’s GDP grew by 3.3% in 2024. That annual growth rate must increase to approximately 19% on average for GDP per capita to double by 2030. The continent’s GDP must multiply seven times over for African countries to reach middle-income country status.

The pathway to income growth and poverty reduction is equally clear. Africa must increase investments several-fold to drive economic growth, create new jobs, increase productivity, improve competitiveness and enhance social services. Sustained economic growth will result in higher incomes, delivering the poverty reductions that are urgently needed.

Climate change response strategies can be repurposed to meet Africa’s income growth and poverty reduction goals in two ways. First, climate solutions can free up investments, which can then be more productively deployed to drive economic growth. Second, climate solutions can be used to reduce climate vulnerability, improve adaptation, resilience and enable sustained economic growth.

Climate solutions can free up investments for economic growth

Energy efficiency can help secure the emissions reductions that the world needs to achieve to minimize the harshest impacts of the climate emergency. Improving energy efficiency also means lower utility bills for consumers and businesses, and less demand on power grids for governments. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that Africa currently uses 3.7 gigajoules (GJ) of energy for every thousand USD of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By transitioning to a higher efficiency of 2.7 GJ per thousand USD of GDP by 2030, consistent with IEA’s net zero emissions pathway, Africa could save billions through avoided energy and infrastructure costs. These avoided investments could then be productively deployed for economic and income growth in areas where they are needed.

Climate solutions can reduce climate vulnerability

Climate change is already costing Africa 2-5% of its GDP, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimated. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, that translates to approximately $ 40 – $100 billion USD of lost incomes in 2023 – money that could have been utilized to enhance economic growth or support social services.

Africa bears a disproportionately large share of climate impacts because the poor and vulnerable are the least prepared to face climate vulnerabilities when they occur. The WMO projects that by 2030, 118 million extremely poor people in Africa will remain highly vulnerable to climate impacts such as heat stress, droughts and floods.

Energy-efficient appliances, such as lights, fans, air-conditioners, refrigerators, electric cookers, water pumps, cold storages, and milling equipment, are crucial to building adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change among the world’s most vulnerable populations. CLASP estimates that more than half of the population in Africa lacks access to many essential appliances, such as fans and refrigerators. There are equally large ownership gaps for agricultural equipment, such as water pumps, milling equipment and cold storage. These appliances are critical to helping reduce the risks of income and productivity losses from climate impacts.

CLASP estimates that increasing access to seven key appliances across Africa could create a market worth approximately $50 billion USD and catalyse accelerated power infrastructure development to provide electricity for all. It would improve people’s access to essential services, helping individuals manage environmental stressors and economic instability.

Climate change was not Africa’s making, but it is Africa’s fight to shape. If leaders gathering at the Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia can reframe the response to the climate crisis as an opportunity to accelerate income growth and poverty reduction, then climate action will not only protect the vulnerable but also power the continent’s prosperity. The future is not about choosing between climate action and development; it is about making climate action the very centre of Africa’s development.

CLASP team members joined the Kenya Clean Cooking Week in Kilifi County last week. The team showcased hands-on cooking demonstrations, competitions, and panel discussions, highlighting the role that policy support, financing, partnerships, and grassroots adoption plays in accelerating progress.

Over the past decade, Kenya has made remarkable progress in clean cooking. The share of Kenyans using clean cooking solutions has more than doubled, rising from 15% to 31%, making it the fastest growth rate of clean cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa¹. This momentum has been supported by broader advances in electrification. Electricity access in Kenya grew from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2023², creating a strong foundation for the wider adoption of clean cooking.

Despite this, around 68.5% of the population still relies on firewood, charcoal, or kerosene; with firewood remaining the main cooking fuel³. These fuels come at a high cost. They degrade forests, pollute the air, and are linked to serious health problems ranging from heart disease and strokes to cancer⁴.

Electric cooking (e-cooking) appliances like induction cooktops and electric pressure cookers offer a safer, cleaner alternative. They eliminate smoke, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help curb deforestation by replacing wood and charcoal. They also make kitchens safer by minimizing risks of burns, fires, and explosions, improving the lives of whole communities.

Along with our international and local partners, Ecobora, Gamos East Africa, and MECS, CLASP hosted a cooking competition at our exhibition booth. Contestants prepared dishes of their choice on induction cooktops, using locally available ingredients.

After the cook-off, participants noted things like:

• “The appliances were surprisingly easy to use.”
• “No smoke was produced compared to firewood.”
• “The cooktop felt safe to use and minimized risks like burns.”

The competition showed that clean cooking is not just a climate or health solution, it’s a practical, safe, and efficient choice that improves people’s lives.

With representatives from the Clean Cooking Delivery Unit, GIZ, Kilifi County Government, the Office of the First Lady of Kenya, Practical Action, and UK PACT, CLASP’s Nyamolo Abagi (Director, Clean Energy Access) joined a panel on the importance of partnerships in delivering transformational change across the clean cooking sector. She emphasized that partnerships must extend beyond the usual stakeholders and include the people who use these technologies every day.

In a panel on equity and inclusion, including representatives from Kilifi County Government, Mwangaza Light, Practical Action, SOLCO Partnership, SNV, and WWF, CLASP’s Mike Ofuya (Associate, Clean Energy Access) highlighted the hidden costs of cooking with firewood and charcoal in schools. He noted that shifting to e-cooking appliances can significantly improve health outcomes while freeing up financial and human resources currently consumed by firewood use. These savings could instead fund better food, educational supplies, and infrastructure, while strengthening learning outcomes across the country.

The Government of Kenya aims to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2028. CLASP is working alongside partners like Ecobora, MECS, and Jikoni Magic to accelerate this goal, by promoting the adoption of affordable, energy-efficient cooking appliances and raising awareness of their benefits.

Clean Cooking Week 2025 sent a clear message. The time for strategizing has passed, it’s time for action that delivers healthier homes, stronger economies, and a safer environment.

More information at www.clasp.ngo/appliances/electric-cooking-appliances.

About the event:

Kenya’s Clean Cooking Week is organized by the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, and the 2025 edition ran from 26 to 28 August. This year’s theme, “Implementing Clean Cooking Strategies and County Energy Plans: Transformation, Inclusivity and Empowerment”, focused on turning strategies into action.

The event gathered diverse stakeholders, including government representatives, industry, civil society, development partners, and academia, all united by the goal of achieving universal access to clean cooking.

CLASP and our partners are dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing, interconnected crises: the climate emergency, poverty, inequality, and access to energy.

Our research shows how efficient, high-quality appliances alleviate energy poverty and promote sustainable development—positively impacting billions of people.

At this year’s Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, we will be presenting solutions from our upcoming research to showcase how efficient appliances are a critical piece to achieve universal electricity access and accelerate Africa’s momentum in becoming a powerhouse of global climate solutions.

CLASP experts attending: 

• Emmanuel Aziebor – Senior Director, Africa
• Anne Muhonja Songole – Manager, Climate

If you are interested in connecting with us to speak at or attend your events, please contact mbaur@clasp.ngo. 

AMDA represents over 40 mini-grid developers across the continent and is a strong voice for policies, financing, and standards that enable scale. The organization actively engages in regulatory reform and promotes sustainable business models.

“In the face of challenges that seem insurmountable, one truth remains: Business as usual is not an option. We cannot unlock universal energy access with fragmented strategies. We cannot power 680 million people still in the dark by 2030 without bold, coordinated, and scalable action,” Olamide (‘Lamide) Niyi-Afuye, CEO, AMDA.

Fun Fact: Mini-grids are key to reaching remote communities and AMDA is uniquely positioned to ensure the enabling environment keeps pace with the sector’s growth.

CCA drives efforts to make clean cooking affordable, accessible, and aspirational. Their work spans research, policy, investment facilitation, and ecosystem coordination.

“Whether from an energy access, climate, environment, health, or empowerment perspective, clean cooking is increasingly recognized as a critical component of a just energy transition. CCA is proud to have contributed to this shift. Our focus remains on turning commitments into actionable policies, business opportunities, and tangible investments that transform the pathways to clean cooking for the billions of people who still live without it,” Dymphna van der Lans, CEO, CCA.

Fun Fact: The clean cooking sector needs strong institutions to match its ambition. CCA brings the convening power, technical capacity, and cross-sectoral reach needed to transform this critical area of energy access.

GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, representing over 200 members. As a long-standing convener and advocate, GOGLA plays a critical role in shaping policy, collecting market intelligence, and promoting consumer protection. Their leadership helps build a transparent and investable solar market.

Fun Fact: GOGLA’s deep sector expertise, strong relationships with governments and financiers, and commitment to evidence-based advocacy make them a linchpin in advancing off-grid solar.

NOMAP supports Nigeria’s distributed renewable energy market through policy analysis, investor engagement, and ecosystem strengthening.

Fun Fact: NOMAP is helping to tackle Nigeria’s energy access challenge with strategic, locally grounded solutions and strong partnerships.

Precise builds learning ecosystems and delivers cutting-edge research and insights to business, governments, and non-profits in Ethiopia to help them make strategic development decisions.

“At Precise, we build market systems that empower local innovators and entrepreneurs to win the war against poverty. By partnering with philanthropies, we design and deliver bold, private sector-led solutions tailored to local realities. Solutions that help our partners do more with less. Our work drives systemic change that supports climate-resilient growth, creates jobs, raises incomes, improves nutrition and health, and empowers women,” Henok Assefa, Managing Partner, Precise.

Fun Fact: Precise designs and delivers bold, private sector-led solutions tailored to local realities that help their partners do more with less.

UOMA works closely with government, industry, and development partners to identify market barriers and coordinate solutions. Their work includes technical assistance, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement to advance energy access nationally.

“UOMA has played a pivotal role in Uganda’s energy access journey, unlocking capital, enabling last-mile delivery, and supporting over 250,000 households. As the sector grows more complex, UOMA’s role as a neutral intermediary is critical in bridging silos, aligning stakeholders, and translating ambition into coordinated, on-the-ground action, especially in emerging areas like productive use and humanitarian energy access,” Reza Fazel, Associate Partner at Open Capital and Head of UOMA.

Fun Fact: Uganda is a key energy access frontier, and UOMA has a strong record of translating insights into action and facilitating national-level collaboration.