The CCAC (Climate and Clean Air Coalition) has launched a new funding initiative to spread clean, electric cooking technologies across Africa. This effort is a huge step to tackle household air pollution, improve public health, empower women, and combat climate change.
As Africa transitions to cleaner energy use, eCooking that is, cooking with electricity in households and institutions—presents an immediate, practical opportunity that can be scaled across the continent to replace polluting fuels such as wood, charcoal, and kerosene. The CCAC Challenge Programme is seeking to fund creative projects that will enable this transition to happen more rapidly and efficiently.
About the CCAC Challenge Programme
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations aimed at addressing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). These are powerful pollutants with massive air quality, health, and climate implications.
The CCAC Challenge Programme for eCooking targets an increase in the scale of electric cooking technologies deployed in ODA-eligible African countries. The programme will seek scalable, evidence-based solutions to remove barriers to eCooking adoption and demonstrate that they can have a measurable positive impact on the environment and society.
- Estimated total funding: Around USD 2 million
- Application deadline: 12 December 2025
- Eligible regions: ODA-eligible African countries
Objectives of the Programme
The CCAC Challenge Programme is designed to elevate the movement away from existing cooking practices using traditional fuels toward electric cooking by:
- Containing climate and health impacts of dirty fuels
- Promoting gender equality: empowering women and reducing time spent collecting firewood or cooking on open fires
- Supporting national energy transitions and anchoring eCooking within broader electrification strategies
- Encouraging small businesses and local appliance manufacturing to strengthen local economies
- Building replicable models for sustainable businesses across African countries
Key Components
The CCAC will “try out models closer to scale for national clean cooking strategies by financing innovative pilot projects.”
Why eCooking Matters for Africa
Health and Environment
Household air pollution from biomass and fossil-fuel cooking remains one of the leading contributors to respiratory disease and premature death in Africa. eCooking helps prevent indoor pollution related to air quality and fine particulate matter.
Climate Action
Traditional cooking methods emit enormous volumes of black carbon—a powerful but short-lived climate pollutant. Electric cooking reduces greenhouse-gas emissions and deforestation caused by firewood harvesting and charcoal production.
Gender and Social Impact
The time-based hardships of traditional cooking fall predominantly on women and children. eCooking saves time, prevents exposure to toxic smoke, and provides women with new business opportunities as entrepreneurs, appliance sellers, and energy advocates.
Energy Efficiency and Modernization
Electric cooking can help governments and utilities better manage electricity demand, especially when combined with renewable energy sources. It supports proper grid use and integration with mini-grid or solar systems in off-grid areas.
Key Focus Areas of the Grant
Technology Development and Adaptation
- Scale up or introduce electric heat pressure cookers, induction stoves, and related technologies
- Adapt domestic appliances to fluctuating voltage systems and local cooking habits
Infrastructure and Energy Access
- Integrate eCooking into national and local electrification plans
- Collaborate with utilities, mini-grid developers, and renewable-energy providers
Affordability and Financial Innovation
- Develop financial tools (e.g., pay-as-you-go, micro-leasing, or subsidies) to make eCooking affordable for poorer households
Women’s Empowerment and Behaviour Change
- Train and support women entrepreneurs as catalysts for clean energy adoption
- Run educational programs to promote the switch from biomass to electric cooking
Scalability and Replication
- Demonstrate that project initiatives can be scaled, replicated, and sustained beyond the grant period
Eligibility and Application Criteria
The programme is open to non-profit organizations, public or intergovernmental organizations operating in or partnering with eligible African countries.
Eligibility Highlights
- Applicants must demonstrate experience in clean energy or development projects
- Proposals should engage local partners such as governments, utilities, women’s groups, or private sector actors
- Targets for subprojects should be quantifiable (e.g., air pollutant reduction, number of households reached, gender outcomes)
- Co-funding or matching is encouraged
- Funds will be awarded based on the ability to support innovative, high-impact projects with potential to drive national-level change
Potential Project Examples
Projects could include:
- eCooking demonstration kitchens for peri-urban communities
- Off-grid, community-based solar eCooking hubs
- Appliance-leasing schemes financed by local banks
- Media, school, and women’s group behaviour-change campaigns
- Transitioning school kitchens or hospitals to electric cooking
Each project should clearly define outcomes on energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and women’s empowerment.
Benefits of Participating
- Access to international financing for clean-energy solutions
- Enhanced technical and strategic capacity through CCAC and partners
- Networking with global clean-energy leaders, funders, and experts
- Increased visibility and credibility for future funding opportunities
- Contribution to global climate action and SDGs (3, 5, 7, 13)
How to Apply
Applicants must submit:
- Project Idea and Target Area Executive Summary
- Statement of the Problem and Objectives aligned with CCAC goals
- Implementation Plan: Activities, deliverables, and timeline
- Collaborative Strategy: Defined stakeholder roles
- Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: With indicators
- Detailed Budget and Funding Structure
All applications must be submitted online through the official CCAC website by 12 December 2025. Shortlisted proposals will undergo technical and financial assessment before final selection.
This if for People looking for….
- eCooking in Africa
- CCAC Challenge Programme
- Clean cooking grant 2025
- Electric cooking technologies
- Funding from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition
- Women empowerment clean energy
- African energy transition grants
- Clean cooking opportunities in Africa
Here is latest grant opportunity for nigerians
| Select Gavi Funding Opportunities for Nigerian Civil Society Organizations | Gavi Funding Opportunities for Nigerian Civil Society Organizations |
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Conclusion
The CCAC Challenge Programme to accelerate eCooking adoption in Africa presents a vital opportunity to fast-track clean cooking solutions while advancing climate action, health, and gender equality. The goal is to transform how millions of African households cook and live by investing in scalable, locally driven innovations.
Enterprises focused on energy access, women’s empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable development are encouraged to apply by the deadline. Winning projects will receive funding and recognition as pioneers in building a greener, healthier Africa.
🔗 More Resources:
Apply via the official website: CCAC Challenge Programme on Accelerating Uptake of eCooking in Africa
If am oppotune to selected the fund will be used on gender equality