Rwanda, Saudi Arabia Launch Project to Distribute 50,000 Cooking Gas Cylinders and Stoves

Rwanda, in partnership with Saudi Arabia, has launched a joint initiative to provide 50,000 households with cooking gas cylinders and stoves, marking a significant step toward cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cooking solutions.

The project, unveiled under Saudi Arabia’s Forward7 Program, is part of the broader Middle East Green Initiative launched in 2021. It aims to help Rwandan families transition from traditional biomass fuels-such as firewood and charcoal-to modern Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) systems that are more environmentally friendly and health-conscious.

According to a joint statement issued on October 29, 2025, by Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Forward7, each beneficiary household will receive a two-burner stove, a 12-kilogram gas cylinder, and an affordability device that allows users to pay for gas in small increments. This feature is designed to support lower-income families who may not be able to purchase a full gas refill at once.

The project, which will run over 18 months, is being implemented by Bboxx, a company known for its work in renewable energy distribution across Africa. So far, since its pilot phase began in February 2025, the program has already reached 6,000 households, with plans to expand into Kigali, Huye, Muhanga, Rwamagana, and Musanze districts.

Government data shows that the majority of Rwandan households still rely on biomass for cooking-75% use firewood, 18.8% use charcoal, and only 5.4% use gas or biogas. In Kigali, however, 23% of households use gas, while 59% depend on charcoal.

Officials say the program will play a crucial role in reducing Rwanda’s dependence on wood-based fuels, which contribute to deforestation and indoor air pollution. It will also support the country’s participation in the carbon credit market, which rewards projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The resulting funds will be reinvested in renewable energy initiatives nationwide.

The shift toward clean cooking is a cornerstone of Rwanda’s broader climate and energy goals. The government is also advancing a major project to extract 40 million cubic meters of methane gas from Lake Kivu, which is expected to supply gas to 300,000-400,000 households for cooking.

Through partnerships like this, Rwanda aims to make modern energy solutions accessible to all citizens while meeting its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.