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Dubai, UAE

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has pledged $4b (about shillings 15 trillion) to address a critical health issue affecting African women.

This funding initiative, revealed during a bilateral meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, aims to combat the life-threatening impacts of traditional cooking practices, which claim the lives of half a million African women annually.

IEA executive director Dr Fatih Birol underscored the urgency of this matter in his discussions with Uganda’s energy minister Dr Ruth Nankabirwa.

(Courtesy photo)

“The stark reality is that more than half a million women succumb each year due to archaic cooking methods that rely on charcoal and firewood,” Birol said on Monday, December 4, 2023. He expressed his ambition to convene a major conference with global leaders and philanthropists in France next year, rallying support for this vital clean cooking initiative in Africa.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Birol said: “The proposed $4b investment is a modest sum when weighed against the lives of half a million women. It's reasonable to expect the necessary funds to be raised for this cause.”

Energy transition plan

In a landmark development, IEA, in partnership with Uganda’s energy ministry, was yesterday set to launch Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP). This strategic framework, a first for a sub-Saharan African nation, aims to catalyse Uganda’s economic growth through sustainable energy solutions.

Birol lauded Uganda’s strides in clean energy adoption and its energy transition journey. 

“We monitor progress across Africa and can affirm Uganda's commendable efforts. The ETP not only opens up prospects for significant investor interest but also positions Uganda as a model for energy transformation,” he stated.

Nankabirwa echoed the significance of this initiative for Uganda, remarking on its profound impact: “Hearing about this support is like music to our ears. We vividly remember the hardships associated with traditional cooking methods from our own experiences."

Nankabirwa also highlighted Uganda’s commitment to environmental conservation and reducing reliance on charcoal and biomass, evidenced by the President's executive order against deforestation and a mere 2% of the population using LPG (cooking gas).

“Our plans are ready; we await the crucial funding to bring them to fruition,” she added.

The meeting, marking a pivotal moment in Africa’s energy and health sectors, was attended by key figures, including Eng. Irene Bateebe, the permanent secretary of the ministry and the ministry's commissioners Dr Gerald Banaga-Baingi and Dr Brian Isabirye.