Stakeholder perspectives on the future of clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa and the role of pay-as-you-go LPG in expanding access

Reliance on polluting cooking fuels is linked to three million premature deaths per year as well as other climatic, environmental and social impacts. Numerous clean cooking fuels are available but remain inaccessible to low-income consumers due to affordability limitations. An emerging solution targeting the urban poor is pay-as-you-go (PAYG) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which allows gas to be purchased in micropayments. However, little is known about whether this technology can scale and foster widespread adoption of clean cooking. This study examines the state of the clean cooking market in sub-Saharan Africa and the role of PAYG LPG through semi-structured interviews conducted with n = 20 key informants including academics, donors and practitioners. The findings revealed perceptions of slow progress and tensions around the roles of LPG and electricity in the fuel mix. However, there was broad consensus that LPG will play some role in the transition in the short term. Respondents also revealed the multitude of challenges faced by PAYG LPG providers attempting to scale this technology at a time of increasing controversy about the role of fossil fuels in Africa's energy transition. Nevertheless, participants described how PAYG LPG is an effective demand-side technology that makes clean cooking accessible to new consumers. Data collected by the meters offers opportunities to monetise impacts and target interventions at specific consumer groups. However, the unit economics are challenging and are compounded by a paucity of investment. Further research, dialogue and open debate between stakeholders is required to create a coherent enabling environment for PAYG LPG.