The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States, has officially launched the ECOWAS LPG 20/20 Initiative in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, marking a major step toward expanding access to clean cooking energy in WestAfrica.
The launch was held alongside a high-level policy dialogue focused on clean cooking, gender equality, and child protection.
The dialogue brought together stakeholders to align on strategies for scaling household energy transition and protecting vulnerable groups affected by traditional cooking practices.
The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of liquefied petroleum gas as a safer, cleaner household energy source.
Under its pilot phase, the programme is expected to facilitate the transition of up to 10,000 households across Sierra Leone to clean cooking gas canisters.
Officials said the programme is designed to improve public health, reduce environmental harm, and support the shift away from firewood and charcoal.
The initiative will also create an enabling environment for private investment, develop standards, and strengthen supply chains to make LPG more available and affordable.
The ECOWAS LPG 20/20 Initiative forms part of broader regional efforts to achieve universal access to clean cooking solutions and reduce the health and environmental costs of traditional fuels in West Africa.
Successful implementation in Sierra Leone is expected to serve as a model for similar rollouts across other member states.
(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
