Lagos pilots 80m clean cookstoves project to unlock carbon market

NIGERIA has commenced the pilot phase of an 80 million clean cookstoves initiative, a project expected to reshape household energy consumption, unlock billions of naira in climate finance and position the country as a major player in the global carbon market.

The programme, spearheaded by Greenplinth Africa Limited, was unveiled at a special media chat, Strategic Project Implementation Management Retreat and Stakeholders’ Engagement, in Lagos, where government officials, climate experts and industry stakeholders described it as one of the country’s most significant climate investment projects.

Designed to reduce dependence on firewood and other traditional biomass fuels, the initiative combines clean energy access with digital carbon credit verification, healthcare support, social protection and environmental restoration in what organisers say is a commercially sustainable climate financing model.

The Lagos State Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, disclosed that results from the pilot project in Makoko demonstrated the initiative’s transformative potential.

She said participating households reduced average daily firewood consumption by more than 85 per cent, from about 10 kilogrammes to approximately 1.37 kilogrammes after switching to improved cookstoves.

She added that almost 97 percent of beneficiaries abandoned the use of multiple cooking fuels, while more than 90 per cent found the new stoves easier to operate. All participants rated the technology safer than conventional cooking methods.

“The future of climate action extends beyond ambition. It is built on implementation-ready projects capable of delivering measurable environmental, economic and social impact. The 80 Million Clean Cookstoves Initiative is one of those…