By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Somalia has launched its
National Clean Cooking Strategy 2026–2031, targeting an increase in access to
clean cooking from 5 per cent in 2024 to 23 per cent by 2031, with the
potential to reach approximately 660,000 additional households.
The strategy was launched on
the second day of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in
Antalya, Türkiye, with Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Ambassador Ali
Mohamed, delivering the keynote address. The initiative is supported by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The strategy seeks to expand
access to clean cooking, advance electrification and mobilise investment and
partnerships to address the country's reliance on traditional cooking fuels.
With clean cooking access
standing at just 5 per cent in 2024, most Somali households continue to depend
on firewood and charcoal, a reliance that contributes to large-scale
deforestation.
Expanding access to clean
cooking is expected to help protect forests, improve public health and deliver
tangible benefits for families and communities, while creating opportunities
for local market investment.
The launch marks an
important step towards expanding clean cooking access and strengthening efforts
to attract investment and partnerships for the sector.
According to the Office of
Kenya's Special Envoy for Climate Change, the initiative also reflects a
priority shared across Africa: country-led strategies, backed by regional
coordination and practical partnerships, that turn national ambition into
implementation.
The momentum is expected to
continue at the Second Africa Clean Cooking Summit, scheduled to take place in
Nairobi, Kenya, from January 27 to 28, 2027.
