Clean Cooking Shift Points to LPG-Led Supply Surge in Africa

In Numbers:
• LPG is projected to provide about 61% of new clean cooking access in Africa under the universal access pathway.
• Modern cooking fuel use across Africa is expected to increase roughly six-fold by 2040 versus today.
• Sub-Saharan Africa’s cooking-related LPG demand in 2040 could equal around 8% of today’s global LPG market.

What Changed:
The clean cooking pathway now shows a clearer tilt toward LPG as the main scale-up fuel, with electricity and bioenergy playing supporting roles. Fuel demand projections have risen sharply, reflecting the scale of access expansion required. Alternative fuels such as bioethanol and pellets are present but remain small relative to future needs. The supply challenge is shifting from pilot projects to full infrastructure build-out across production, imports, storage, and distribution.

Why It Matters:
Global clean cooking access depends not only on stoves but on reliable fuel supply chains. A six-fold rise in modern fuel demand signals a major expansion phase for LPG logistics, power systems for electric cooking, and biofuel production. This reshapes parts of the global LPG and clean fuel market, linking energy access goals more directly with fuel trade, infrastructure finance, and downstream distribution.

Why Africa Should Care:
Africa sits at the center of this demand growth, meaning progress depends on building affordable fuel delivery systems, especially beyond major cities. Heavy reliance on LPG raises the need for storage, cylinder circulation, and import capacity, while local biofuel industries remain under-scaled. Without coordinated policy and funding to expand these supply systems, rural and low-income households risk being left behind, slowing health and environmental gains tied to reduced biomass use.