The Government of Rwanda, in partnership with Bboxx Rwanda and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has unveiled a transformative clean cooking initiative aimed at reducing dependence on traditional biomass fuels while improving public health across the country.
Through collaboration with Forward7—an initiative operating under the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)—the program will distribute 50,000 affordable Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) kits to Rwandan families over the coming 18 months.
Rwanda-based clean energy solutions provider Bboxx will spearhead implementation of the project, which will initially serve households in five districts: Kigali, Musanze, Muhanga, Rwamagana, and Huye, according to a joint statement released Wednesday.
High-Level Engagement
The announcement follows President Paul Kagame’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where he attended the Future Investment Initiative (FII) on Monday and Tuesday alongside global policy and business leaders.
During his visit, President Kagame met bilaterally with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Village Urugwiro reported that their discussions emphasized deepening cooperation between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia across strategic sectors.
Addressing Energy Challenges
Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure notes that biomass—predominantly wood fuel—comprises the bulk of national energy consumption. This new initiative represents a major step toward reducing that dependency through modern, cleaner cooking alternatives.
Each distributed LPG kit contains a two-burner stove, a 12-kilogram gas cylinder, and a smart valve featuring pay-as-you-go functionality.
Presently, approximately 160,000 households—representing just over 4.6% of all Rwandan households—utilize cooking gas. Upon completion next year, the addition of 50,000 new households will substantially decrease reliance on charcoal and firewood, currently the dominant cooking methods.
Traditional costs for entering the LPG market are significant: gas stoves retail for around Rwf 150,000 ($120), while refilling a 12-kilogram cylinder costs approximately Rwf 22,000—though one cylinder typically lasts up to two months.
Targeting Underserved Communities
The Rwanda-Saudi project specifically focuses on low-income households that have not previously received clean cooking subsidies.
Officials emphasize that the initiative will enable families to adopt safer, more efficient cooking methods while simultaneously reducing indoor air pollution, enhancing health outcomes, and fostering economic development in underserved communities.
Climate and Economic Benefits
The program incorporates a carbon credit structure, with revenues reinvested into expanding clean cooking access and reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and climate resilience.
Launched in Kigali in February 2025, the project has already expanded to Rwamagana and Musanze, with rollout to remaining districts planned within the year.
To date, more than 6,000 households have gained access to clean cooking solutions.
Bboxx continues conducting community outreach campaigns to inform households about program eligibility and the advantages of clean cooking technology.
