By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr
The President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has reaffirmed the regional body’s commitment to expanding access to clean cooking solutions across West Africa, as Sierra Leone officially launched the ECOWAS LPG 20/20 Initiative. The keynote address, delivered on his behalf by Ambassador John Azumah, marked a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to transition households from traditional biomass fuels to cleaner, safer alternatives such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The high-level event was attended by Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, alongside First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, Rachel Ruto, and Samira Bawumia, among other dignitaries, ministers, and development partners. In his message, Dr. Touray described the launch as more than a ceremonial event, emphasizing that it represents a bold regional commitment to transform lives, protect the environment, and improve public health outcomes.
“Access to clean cooking solutions remains one of the most pressing development challenges in West Africa,” he noted, highlighting that only about 21 percent of households in the region currently use LPG. The majority still depend on firewood and charcoal, exposing millions—particularly women and children—to harmful indoor air pollution. He warned that continued reliance on biomass fuels contributes to respiratory illnesses, accelerates deforestation, and increases greenhouse gas emissions, while also placing a disproportionate burden on women and girls.
The ECOWAS Commission underscored the strong link between energy access and gender equality, noting that time spent collecting firewood limits opportunities for education, economic participation, and social advancement for women and girls. The initiative aligns with the global push to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which seeks universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy. Dr. Touray stressed the urgency of scaling up clean cooking solutions through coordinated policies, investment, and advocacy across member states.
The LPG 20/20 Initiative aims to distribute 20 million LPG cylinders to 20 million households across the region, with Sierra Leone and The Gambia selected as pilot countries. The programme builds on the ECOWAS Regional LPG Strategy adopted in 2018, which targets a 45 percent LPG penetration rate by 2030. ECOWAS has already supported several countries—including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone—in developing national LPG strategies to guide implementation. The Commission commended Sierra Leone for taking a leading role in advancing clean cooking reforms, particularly through the establishment of the Clean Cooking Delivery Unit (CCDU).
The unit is tasked with coordinating cross-sectoral implementation and serving as the national agency for the LPG 20/20 Initiative. According to ECOWAS, effective coordination among key ministries—including energy, health, finance, education, and gender—is essential to translating policy commitments into measurable outcomes. A symbolic handover of LPG cylinders to selected beneficiaries formed a key highlight of the launch, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to inclusive access—especially for vulnerable communities. The programme also places strong emphasis on women’s economic empowerment, recognizing women not only as beneficiaries but as central actors in the clean energy value chain.
+Opportunities in LPG distribution, maintenance, and related enterprises such as fish processing are expected to create new income streams and strengthen household resilience. “This is where energy policy meets economic transformation,” the statement noted, stressing that empowering women as entrepreneurs and innovators will be critical to the initiative’s long-term success. Reaffirming ECOWAS’ support, Dr. Touray pledged continued collaboration with Sierra Leone and other member states to ensure the successful rollout and sustainability of the initiative. He called for sustained efforts to translate policy frameworks into tangible improvements in people’s lives, declaring the ECOWAS LPG 20/20 Initiative in Sierra Leone officially launched. The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping household energy use across West Africa, while advancing health, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
