Rwanda’s Clean Cooking Challenge: Can Community Action Make the Difference?

Asteria’s hands tremble as she strikes a match, the small flame flickering before catching onto the lump of charcoal. Her youngest daughter, Keza, stands nearby, rubbing her eyes and coughing as the smoke curls toward the low roof of their kitchen. Asteria has been cooking this way for as long as she can remember, just as her mother and grandmother did before her. The acrid smoke seeps into her clothes, lungs, and life. It is inescapable. She knows it harms her family, yet with her limited income, firewood is the only option she can afford. Each month, she spends a third of her family’s meager earnings on fuel alone, leaving too little for school fees, nutritious food, or medical care.

One evening, as Asteria cooks, Keza clutches her chest, wheezing violently. Panic floods Asteria’s mind as she rushes to her child’s side. Holding Keza close, her instincts scream: If she does not change something soon, her daughter may not survive this smoke. Who will help her make this transition?

Asteria’s struggle is not unique. In Rwanda, 80% of rural households cook this way, inhaling toxic smoke daily. Families like hers rely on charcoal and firewood for cooking, leading to severe health consequences. Household air pollution from traditional cooking fuels is a significant health threat in Rwanda, contributing significantly to acute respiratory infections, which are the leading cause of morbidity among women. It is also the primary cause of death for children under five, mainly due to its link to pneumonia. Globally, over four million deaths occur annually due to indoor air pollution resulting from cooking fuel, 50% of whom are children under the age of five.

According to the Energy Sector Strategic Plan, Rwanda aims to ensure that 80% of rural households have access to improved cookstoves by 2030. To support this goal, the government launched the Rwanda Energy Access and Quality Improvement Project (EAQIP), a subsidy program designed to make clean cooking solutions more accessible. The program subsidizes households and cookstove providers, with 200,000 households already benefiting from the targeted half a million by 2026.

Despite efforts to promote cleaner cookstoves, only 20% of rural households in Rwanda have adopted improved cookstoves, compared to 65% in urban areas. Three-stone cookstoves remain dominant, with firewood as the primary cooking fuel. Even when families receive improved stoves, many continue using both — a behavior known as stove stacking — driven by cultural cooking preferences and familiarity with traditional methods. The real issue goes beyond cost; it is deeply rooted in behavioral habits and social norms.

Many Rwandan families hesitate to switch because they fear the unknown. They worry that food will taste different, that modern stoves will break easily, or that they will not have reliable access to fuel. Others look to their neighbors — if the community still burns firewood, why should they switch?

Asteria’s reality illustrates Rwanda’s more profound challenge: the country does not just need more cookstoves and a cultural and behavioral shift. Infrastructure and financing alone will not solve the problem. Transitioning to clean cooking requires transforming mindsets, habits, and community trust.

Local leaders, including health workers and religious figures, are well-positioned to promote clean cooking due to their influence and trusted community relationships. Their involvement is crucial as they often shape public behavior, guide household practices, and address health concerns. Equipping them with clear evidence of clean cooking benefits, training materials, and practical demonstrations will empower them to advocate for adoption and support lasting change effectively.

Women’s groups, central to household decision-making in Rwanda, can drive the shift to cleaner cooking. Repurposing the Abunzi, a trusted network of mediators known for resolving disputes and fostering social cohesion, also offers a powerful way to promote this change. With their proven success in mediating land disputes, family conflicts, and inheritance issues, the Abunzi can leverage their influence to encourage cleaner cooking by highlighting practical benefits such as time savings, improved safety, and reduced smoke exposure.

Moreover, leveraging Umuganda, Rwanda’s monthly community service initiative, can promote cleaner cooking practices. Past Umuganda campaigns have successfully mobilized communities for mosquito net distribution, improved sanitation, and eliminating Nyakatsi (thatched roofs) to enhance housing conditions. Integrating clean cooking messages into these gatherings through discussions and demonstrations can encourage healthier cooking habits through repeated exposure.

Asteria’s story reflects a powerful truth: the transition to clean cooking is not just about technology and financing but also about community, trust, and empowerment. By supporting families through local networks, trusted leaders, and accessible financial solutions, Rwanda can foster lasting change. Each household that embraces clean cooking improves its well-being and strengthens the broader community. This is the power of collective action, where every small step toward clean cooking brings Rwanda closer to a future of hope, sustainability, and shared prosperity for all.