Clean Energy Access Drives Women’s Economic and Health Gains in West Africa

Dr Onyeka Nwafor highlighted how solar power and clean cooking solutions are transforming women’s lives across West Africa. He said reduced smoke inhalation has lowered respiratory illnesses and improved maternal and child healthcare. He spoke at the launch of the ECOWAS LPG Programme and a high-level dialogue on clean cooking, gender equality and child protection in Freetown. Sierra Leone’s First Lady described limited clean cooking fuel as a public health crisis. President Bio announced a pilot distribution of 10,000 gas canisters to households. Only 1.5% of Sierra Leonean homes currently use clean cooking solutions, while most rely on firewood or charcoal. Globally, toxic smoke from biomass contributes to an estimated 3.7 million deaths annually, mostly among women and children. The initiative aims to expand cleaner cooking systems in schools and homes. It is supported by ECOWAS, the Clean Cooking Alliance and the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security.

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