At Lowaki Eco Solutions, we believe that real climate action goes beyond technology—it’s about people, especially the communities we serve. As we push forward in our mission to accelerate clean energy adoption, we must be intentional about inclusion, sustainability, and impact. Here are the best practices we have learnt from our first year of operations in this sector that we should actively and continuously implement to ensure meaningful and lasting change.
1. Recognizing Gender Roles in Energy Access
To truly drive change, we need to recognize that gender plays a critical role in energy access and adoption. Before designing solutions, we must first understand the dynamics at play—who makes household energy decisions, who bears the burden of traditional cooking methods, and what barriers exist. Conducting gender-informed surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews will help us create strategies that ensure both women and men are included in the transition to clean cooking.
2. Designing Inclusive and Flexible Participation
Women juggle multiple responsibilities, from work and caregiving to community engagement. If we want them to fully participate in our programs, we must design opportunities that fit their schedules—offering flexible training sessions, accessible locations, child care support, and participation options that don’t add to their already heavy workload.
3. Strengthening Local Collaborations for Impact
Collaborations and partnerships have been key for us. One of the biggest gaps in this industry, especially as we encourage the transition to clean cooking, is affordability. We have been very fortunate to partner with Co-operative Bank and SACCOs that extend financial aid to their customers, accelerating adoption. Additionally, partners like Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade Africa, who work closely with farmers, have been instrumental in sensitization efforts.
No single organization can drive change alone. Partnering with local women’s groups, community-based organizations, and trusted leaders allows us to scale adoption faster and more effectively. These partnerships help build trust, expand our reach, and ensure that solutions are culturally relevant and widely accepted.
No single organization can drive change alone. Partnering with local women’s groups, community-based organizations, and trusted leaders allows us to scale adoption faster and more effectively. These partnerships help build trust, expand our reach, and ensure that solutions are culturally relevant and widely accepted.
4. Expanding Economic Opportunities for All
Clean cooking solutions should create economic opportunities for entire communities, not just women. In many rural settings, men are primary decision-makers, and their involvement is critical in accelerating adoption. Youth, too, play a vital role, particularly in job creation and driving innovation in the sector.
By training and equipping men, women, and youth with the skills to produce affordable stoves and briquettes, we can generate sustainable livelihoods while expanding access to clean energy. Part-time work, access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives can further increase the success of these efforts.
Women are already at the heart of energy access—they cook, they run businesses, they manage households. Let’s turn this into an opportunity by creating economic pathways that work for them. Whether it’s through sales, entrepreneurship, or employment in the clean cooking sector, we must align opportunities with their skills and needs. Part-time work, access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives can increase the success of these livelihoods.
5. Continuous Learning and Capacity Building
One-time training isn’t enough. Continuous learning is key to keeping communities engaged and empowered. It’s not just women who need training—men and youth play a critical role in this transition as well. By training producers on making affordable stoves and briquettes, we create economic opportunities that empower them while also driving the adoption of clean cooking solutions.
We need to tailor training programs to address business, financial, leadership, and technical skills while ensuring that participants stay up-to-date on market trends and innovations. Mentorship programs can complement training by providing ongoing support and guidance.
One-time training isn’t enough. Continuous learning is key to keeping women engaged and empowered. We need to tailor training programs to address business, financial, leadership, and technical skills while ensuring that women stay up-to-date on market trends and innovations. Mentorship programs can complement training by providing ongoing support and guidance.
6. Embracing Innovation for Lasting Change
What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. We must stay ahead by testing and adopting innovative approaches—whether it’s revolving loan funds, entrepreneur starter kits, or mobile payment solutions. Thinking outside the box will help us break down long-standing barriers to clean cooking adoption.
We also call on more institutions to step up and support this transition by financing groups and individuals, making clean cooking solutions accessible to more households. Organizations with green financing initiatives should be at the forefront, ensuring that climate-friendly solutions are affordable and scalable.
What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. We must stay ahead by testing and adopting innovative approaches—whether it’s rent-to-own schemes, revolving loan funds, entrepreneur starter kits, or mobile payment solutions. Thinking outside the box will help us break down long-standing barriers to clean cooking adoption.
Join Us in Taking Action
We are not just selling cookstoves or fuel; we are driving a movement—fully aware that in Kenya today, 9.1 million households, or 68.5% of the population, rely on traditional cooking fuel options as their primary source. This is a call to action for all of us to change this reality. A movement for clean air, better health, and economic empowerment. But we can’t do it alone. Whether you’re a financial institution, a local government representative, a corporate partner, or a community advocate, there’s a role for you in this journey.
Let’s work together to make clean cooking the norm, not the exception. Reach out to us at Lowaki Eco Solutions, and let’s accelerate action—together.
#AccelerateAction #CleanCookingForAll #ClimateActionNow
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