Lagos Unveils World’s Largest Clean Cookstove Drive, Targets 80 Million Nationwide

iNewsAfrica | Lagos Bureau | June 4, 2025

In a bold climate and public health initiative, Lagos State has launched the world’s largest clean cookstove campaign, aiming to distribute 80 million energy-efficient stoves across Nigeria. The groundbreaking project is expected to create millions of green jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and make Nigeria a leader in sustainable innovation on the African continent.

• Project Scope: 80 million clean cookstoves to be distributed across Nigeria

• Phase One: 6 million stoves to be deployed in Makoko, Lagos in June

• Impact: 35 million green jobs, 1.2 billion tonnes in carbon offsets

• Governance: Project board chaired by Governor Sanwo-Olu

• Innovation: Lagos to launch Africa’s first subnational carbon exchange

Lagos, Nigeria – In a landmark step toward a greener and healthier Nigeria, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched the world’s largest clean cookstove initiative. The state-led drive aims to distribute 80 million eco-friendly stoves across the country, with Lagos set to receive 8 million units in a campaign that combines environmental responsibility with economic empowerment.

Speaking at the official launch, Governor Sanwo-Olu declared:

“This initiative is more than a climate action—it is a socioeconomic transformation for our people.”

The first rollout phase, beginning in June 2025, will see 6 million stoves distributed in Makoko, a densely populated coastal community in Lagos. The project is poised to significantly reduce harmful household air pollution, which contributes to thousands of preventable deaths each year, especially among women and children.

This historic campaign is expected to generate 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon credits under the UNFCCC’s Article 6.4 framework, making it a major global contributor to climate goals. The cookstove rollout also aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Beyond environmental impact, the program promises major economic benefits—over 35 million green jobs are projected to be created across the clean energy and carbon economy sectors. A sovereign, forex-denominated Green Endowment Fund will also be established to finance sustainability-driven initiatives.

To ensure transparency and effectiveness, a diverse Project Advisory Board has been formed. Chaired by Sanwo-Olu himself, the board includes representatives from Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, private industry, NGOs, and civil society organizations.

In a further move to cement its leadership in carbon innovation, Lagos is preparing to launch the Lagos Carbon Exchange (LCX)—Africa’s first subnational carbon market and only the second of its kind globally after California.

Experts say the initiative could set a precedent for climate-conscious governance across the continent. As Lagos takes bold steps toward climate justice and economic renewal, it is also lighting the way for a greener, cleaner Africa.