By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – A virtual policy dialogue has renewed calls for Cameroon to overhaul its economic, technological, and institutional approach to clean cooking, as experts warn that the country risks falling further behind in health, environmental protection, and sustainable energy transition.
The session, organised by the Cameroon Economic Policy Institute (CEPI) in partnership with the Henri Kouam Foundation under its Climate Finance Program, on November 14, 2025, explored how economic freedom, through lower taxes, reduced regulatory barriers, and increased competition, could accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions nationwide. It was under the theme: “Unlocking the Potential of Clean Cooking through Economic Freedom in Cameroon.”
More than 70 per cent of Cameroonian households still depend on firewood and charcoal, exposing millions, especially women and children, to harmful indoor air pollution while driving rapid forest degradation. Despite the availability of safer and more modern technologies, their adoption remains low due to high costs, limited awareness, restricted distribution networks, and insufficiently supportive public policies.
The Cameroon Economic Policy Institute (CEPI) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing economic development through research, policy advocacy, and training aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and free-market solutions.
Behaviour Change and Cost Hampering Progress
CEPI’s National Coordinator, Haiwang Djamo, said clean cooking must be considered a core pillar of Cameroon’s sustainable development and energy transition strategies.
Panellist Njiki Bazo Briand defined clean cooking within Cameroon as a combination of the right technology, fuel, and user behaviour. He emphasised that even high-quality cookstoves remain unused if households lack awareness or training.
“Behavioural aspects are crucial: without proper awareness, even the best improved cookstoves will not be adopted. He also stressed that technology (improved cookstoves, gas stoves, electric cookers) and fuel types (biogas, renewable electricity) remain essential determinants,” Njiki Bazo said.
“From his field research, he observed that women generally view clean cooking as a way to improve their living conditions, but awareness is insufficient. Despite his efforts, he was unable to sell a single stove.”
Poor Strategy and Training Gaps
Awounkeu attributed the country’s slow progress to a weak economic model and limited investment. “Over 70% of households still rely on wood and charcoal, reflecting a lack of strategy and investment,” he said.
He criticised the absence of university programs focused on energy as a skills-based, job-creating field, saying this gap prevents innovation and slows the emergence of clean cooking startups across municipalities and regions. “The lack of adoption is also due to limited knowledge of available technologies. This delay has harmful impacts on health, the environment, and deprives the country of strong employment potential,” Awounkeu added.
Awounkeu urged stronger advocacy targeting firewood users, more support from the Ministry of SMEs, and government backing for small organisations already producing or distributing clean cooking solutions.
High Costs and Weak Distribution Systems
Ben Odongo argued that affordability remains the biggest barrier. “Cooking with electricity is far costlier than using wood or charcoal. Households cannot afford it; regulations are fragmented, and distribution networks are difficult to access,” he said.
He also pointed to fragmented regulations, limited distribution networks, and low public awareness of available technologies and safety measures. Despite current challenges, panellists agreed that clean cooking holds enormous economic potential.
Boris Bazo described the value chain as “largely untapped,” spanning stove manufacturing, alternative fuel production, sales, maintenance, logistics, and recycling. He shared his experience of using recycled metal cans to build cookstoves, which simultaneously provides income for local collectors.
Awounkeu highlighted opportunities in producing bioethanol from agricultural waste, an area he said remains severely underdeveloped. He said: “The value chain is broad: manufacturing stoves, gas or electric cookers, installing gas and electricity networks, building storage terminals, distribution, maintenance, and developing dedicated financial products.”
Ben Odongo said an approach rooted in economic freedom could accelerate progress. “With fewer taxes, fewer regulatory barriers, and more competition, prices would drop, and production would rise. Households would finally have access to diverse and high-quality clean cooking products,” he argued.
The panelists agreed that targeted government incentives, improved financing channels, and training programs aligned with international standards are essential for scaling up. The dialogue highlighted the need for Cameroon to integrate clean cooking into broader development policies, support local innovators, and expand public education to shift household fuel choices.
