IEA: LPG crisis threatens Africa’s clean cooking progress

The International Energy Agency has issued a warning that a crisis in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threatens Africa's progress in clean cooking. The agency notes that sharply higher prices for LPG are making it unaffordable for many households, particularly in markets without state-set fuel pricing like Nigeria and Uganda.

This crisis exacerbates Africa's reliance on traditional cooking methods, which involve wood, charcoal, and other polluting fuels. According to the IEA, these fuels contribute to 2.5 million premature deaths annually due to household air pollution. Nearly two billion people worldwide still cook using these harmful fuels, a practice that disproportionately affects women and children who bear the brunt of increased exposure to smoke.

While Africa's access to clean cooking solutions has increased, with 23% of sub-Saharan Africans now having access, population growth outpaces these advancements. LPG remains the dominant clean cooking fuel in Africa, accounting for over 70% of those with access. The IEA warns that the crisis could force low-income households to revert to more polluting fuels.

However, the agency also points out that stronger policy frameworks and infrastructure investments are expected to sustain clean cooking progress in Africa through 2030.