Economic downturn spurs demand for eco-friendly cooking stoves in Zambia

In Zambia, charcoal is the main source of energy used for cooking meals as well as for heating purposes in many homes.

While the commodity is readily available, not so many people are able to afford a standard bag of charcoal, which currently costs between 150 and 180 Zambian Kwacha (about 7 to 8 U.S. dollars).

This has led to a rise in the demand for environmentally friendly cooking stoves, or simply eco-stoves.

Compared to traditional cooking stoves locally called Mbaula, eco-stoves use less charcoal and retain heat for longer periods of time. They are made of special clay, which is key in the retention of heat, and scrap metal.

Despite them costing almost five times more than traditional cooking stoves, a lot of people are buying eco-stoves now more than ever. This is because eco-stoves are both cost-effective and efficient, according to Jimmy Kaula, who makes both traditional cooking stoves and eco-stoves.

Prices of eco-stoves range from 100 to 150 Zambian Kwacha, while a traditional cooking stove is sold at 20 and 25 Zambian Kwacha.

Kaula noted that the increase in the demand for these environmentally friendly cooking stoves can be attributed to the global economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many households to be economical in their spending.

"Eco-stoves use less charcoal, that means fewer monies being spent on charcoal," he said, insisting that if the cost of living continues to go up, more and more households in Zambia would be compelled to switch to using eco-stoves.

Fanes Jimina, a homemaker who has been using an eco-stove for more than a year, said the appliance enables her to prepare a number of dishes for her family at a time using very little charcoal.

"I only use a quarter of the measure of charcoal I used to use on a traditional cooking stove," said Jimina, a resident of Lusaka, Zambia's capital.

Her sentiments were shared by a number of individuals that are familiar with eco-stoves in Lusaka, some of whom called for a complete ban on the use of traditional cooking stoves stating that they are major contributor to deforestation.

"Traditional cooking stoves are detrimental to the environment because they use up more charcoal, meaning more trees being cut down for purposes of charcoal making," said Michelo Moonga who is an ardent supporter of application of clean technologies for development.