In early November, I had the privilege of attending the 2019 Clean Cooking Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. Hosted annually by the Clean Cooking Alliance, many consider this forum to be the major event in the world of clean cooking. More than 500 people attended the 2-day conference, and the Clean Cooking Alliance chose “Investment, Innovation, Impact” as the theme for the event.

It’s interesting that one focus of the forum was investment. As one of the first speakers noted, the cookstove sector is seriously underfunded. In 2017 $40 million was spent, while an estimated $4 billion was needed. This lack of funding – which prompts some to call clean cooking an ‘orphan sector’ – has been attributed to the fact that it primarily impacts women and children, the poor, and those in rural communities. Clearly, we all need to accelerate our efforts.

The week after the forum, I attended a market research session in Gatanga, Kenya, just outside of Nairobi. We were welcomed into the home of Margaret, a grandmother in her 50s, and her hospitality was unforgettable. After she answered our questions about the stove, how it saved her fuel and eliminated smoke, she invited us to a meal in her home. She served Kenyan tea and boiled arrow root, and I felt very grateful to receive her generosity and kindness. Margaret’s story reminds me how important our sector is, and how crucial it is to secure funding, so that the impact of clean cooking can continue to grow with each meal prepared and cup of tea served.

With gratitude, 

Paul Means, Executive Director