Rwanda is aiming for a major shift in how its citizens cook, with plans to have at least one million households switch to bioethanol fuel over the next five years. This move is part of a broader national strategy to reduce reliance on wood-based fuels and cut down carbon emissions.
Bioethanol, a renewable fuel made from fermenting plant materials like sugarcane, maize, or agricultural waste, is considered a cleaner and safer alternative to traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood. Its use could bring significant benefits to public health and help protect the environment.
The government has set bold climate goals, including slashing wood fuel dependency to 42% and cutting national carbon emissions by 38% by 2030. However, a Senate report presented on August 4 showed Rwanda is still far from meeting its 2024 targets. Instead of decreasing, wood fuel usage has climbed to 93% — up from 83.3%.
Senator Laetitia Nyinawamwiza, Deputy Chairperson of the Senate’s Economic Development and Finance Committee, called for urgent action to expand clean cooking technologies such as bioethanol. She noted that while these stoves have entered the Rwandan market and refill stations are available, public awareness remains very low.
Expanding Access
Rwanda Energy Group (REG) confirmed that KOKO Networks, the lead distributor of bioethanol in the country, is currently in its pilot phase. The company has already signed a deal with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to eventually start producing the fuel locally.
According to Doreen Rwigamba, Strategy and Investment Manager at KOKO Networks, around 25,000 households have already adopted the technology. The company’s goal is to reach one million users by 2030. Currently, a KOKO stove costs Rwf 22,000, while ethanol is priced at Rwf 850 per litre.
KOKO’s approach includes importing ethanol from nearby countries, storing it at petrol stations, and using automated fuel vending machines — known as “KOKO Points” — to deliver it to consumers. So far, this system is available only in urban areas. To keep prices low, the company leverages carbon credits to subsidize the cost of the fuel.
Local Production on the Horizon
Though Rwanda doesn’t yet produce bioethanol domestically, KOKO is exploring the possibility of setting up local production once customer numbers reach 250,000. At this stage, however, there are no plans to manufacture cookers locally.
Back in 2022, the government signed a $25 million partnership agreement with KOKO to create a national bioethanol cooking utility. This includes promises to remove VAT and import taxes on both the fuel and the equipment — savings that are expected to benefit end users directly.
The ultimate goal? Full access to clean cooking by 2030 — a major step in addressing issues like indoor air pollution, deforestation, and health problems caused by charcoal and firewood.
A Smarter, Cleaner System
KOKO’s smart cooking platform — already up and running in Kenya — relies on a two-burner stove linked to refillable canisters and managed through cloud-based software that handles payments, fuel tracking, and carbon data. These canisters are refilled at KOKO Points using smart micro-tankers.
But experts caution that for Rwanda to make bioethanol production viable, demand must rise significantly. A pre-feasibility study will be necessary to explore the environmental implications, particularly regarding food security and land use.
During a 2024 stakeholder meeting under the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), participants emphasized the need to find sustainable sources of bioethanol — like cassava peels or rice husks — so that food crops aren’t diverted. They also called for stronger private sector involvement, supportive regulations, and awareness campaigns to drive adoption and bring clean cooking solutions to households across the country.