With Nigeria seeking to scale clean cooking as one of its most immediate and investable climate solutions, BURN wants to support the country in reducing emissions, improving public health, and ensuring industrial growth.

These opportunities and challenges were discussed during a high-level media roundtable convened by BURN, bringing together senior editors and climate, business, and development reporters to examine clean cooking, carbon finance, and Nigeria’s climate ambitions. 

The roundtable explored how policy, private capital, and local manufacturing can work together to ensure scalable, high-integrity climate action.

With more than 80% of Nigerian households still dependent on biomass fuels, inefficient cooking continues to place pressure on forests, household incomes, and public health systems. 

Globally, inefficient cooking accounts for nearly one gigaton of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually, making clean cooking one of the fastest routes for Nigeria to translate its NDC 3.0 commitments and National Energy Transition Plan into measurable outcomes.

Recent policy signals, including the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy (NCMAP) and the Tax Reform Act introduced in 2026, have strengthened the investment case for clean cooking by improving market clarity, enforcement, and access to private capital. 

These developments featured prominently in discussions, highlighting how aligned policy frameworks can unlock private-sector-led climate solutions.

Since launching its Nigeria operations in 2018, BURN has invested more than $9.6 million in Nigeria, including its ISO-certified assembly plant in Kano. The facility currently produces 40,000 clean cooking appliances per month, with capacity to scale to 100,000 units, supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda while creating skilled local jobs.

BURN has distributed nearly 1,000,000 fuel-efficient cookstoves nationwide and employs 700 people, nearly 40% of whom are women. 

In leveraging carbon finance, BURN has subsidised stove prices by 60–100%, delivering approximately $15 million in discounts to Nigerian households and enabling families to access a $40 stove for as little as $5.

Etulan Ikpoki, country manager, BURN Nigeria, said, “Clean cooking is one of the few climate solutions Nigeria can scale quickly, credibly, and at household level. When local manufacturing, strong standards, and carbon finance work together, the results are immediate: lower emissions, healthier families, and real economic value. We welcome the government’s leadership in putting policy frameworks in place that support credible carbon markets and clean energy investment.”

“Clean cooking is a practical transition Nigeria can scale quickly, with immediate benefits for families,” said Olamide Fagbuji, senior special assistant to the President on Climate Technology & Operations and Presidential Co-Chair of the Clean Cooking Alliance. 

“When technology, strong standards, local manufacturing, and affordable financing align, it becomes a fast route to deliver our climate and energy commitments.”

“Clean cooking is one of Nigeria’s most investable climate interventions,” said Ibrahim Shelleng, senior special assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement. 

“The priority now is converting policy momentum into bankable programmes, backed by credible monitoring, clear rules, and coordinated action.”

Across Africa, BURN has distributed approximately 6.3 million clean cooking appliances, improving the lives of 32.5 million people, reducing household fuel costs by $2.3 billion, lowering indoor air pollution by 65–100%, and protecting forests by saving more than 36.5 million tons of wood.   

These erratic rainfall patterns, combined with rising sea levels of 0.5 meters, could force 27-53 million Nigerians who live along the coast to relocate by the end of the century. These factors are driving adverse climate effects that are already being felt.

But amidst these challenges lie opportunities. Here, we explore six simple yet impactful climate solutions that Nigerian communities can adopt to build resilience and secure a sustainable future.

1. Embrace Climate-Smart Agriculture:

Nigeria is a developing economy with a 2022 statistics of an estimated population of 88.4 million people who live in extreme poverty.

Agriculture can be a solution to the poverty experienced by a majority in Nigeria.

According to the World Bank, investing in the agricultural sector is more effective at raising incomes among the world’s poorest. Still, traditional farming methods in Nigeria are often vulnerable to droughts and floods.

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) offers a solution. CSA is a set of farming methods that is aimed at increasing the resilience and productivity of the land affected by climate change.

Practices like using drought-resistant crop varieties, practicing water-saving irrigation techniques like drip irrigation, and incorporating cover crops to improve soil health all contribute to a more resilient agricultural system.

By adopting CSA techniques, Nigerian farmers can not only protect their livelihoods but also become part of the climate solution.

It is important to note that Climate Smart Agriculture is a solution to the many problems caused by climate shocks but not a final solution to climate change.

2. Plant Trees, Reap the Rewards:

The United Nations places Nigeria as the highest with a deforestation rate in the world, with an estimated 3.7% of its forest lost every year.

Expanding agriculture and logging; both illegal and legal are some of the causes of deforestation in Nigeria. Still, it is imperative to understand that forests play a vital role in regulating climate.

Interestingly, in 2023, some of the States in Nigeria were involved in tree-planting initiatives. There is still a lot that needs to be done. Nigeria could take a cue from Ethiopia that accomplished an exceptional feat in 2019 when they planted 350 million trees within 12 hours.

Large-scale tree planting initiatives can create green corridors, improve air quality, and mitigate the effects of floods and droughts.  Planting trees also provides economic benefits.

Programs that encourage community involvement in tree planting, with benefits like carbon credits or fruit production, can create a sense of ownership and ensure the long-term success of these initiatives.

3. Harness the Power of Nature:

Harnessing solar energy technologies for generating electricity as an option for fossil fuel energy usage in Nigeria could prove to be a huge solution to climate change problems.

The solar radiation potential in the northern and southern regions in Nigeria is given as 5.62 up to 7.01 and 3.54 up to 5.43 kWhm-2 respectively. Nigeria boasts abundant sunshine and investing in solar energy solutions like rooftop panels or community solar farms can significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Solar power is not just environmentally friendly; it’s also reliable and cost-effective in the long run.  Government incentives and microloans can make solar technology more accessible, empowering individual households and businesses to become energy independent.

Practical solutions are needed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. A notable example is the “Nigeria Police Green Initiative” that was announced last year.

4. Waste Not, Want Not:

The challenge of having sanitary landfills in Nigeria is still a huge conversation when it comes to creating solutions for climate change problems.

Most States in Nigeria still operate open dumping. Organic waste, when left to decompose in landfills, releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Composting kitchen scraps and yard waste transforms this waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, perfect for boosting soil health in gardens and farms.

This simple practice reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, promotes a circular economy, and mitigates climate change.

Landfills can also be areas that can be transformed into thriving green spaces that would be fit for the whole surrounding community to enjoy.

Some examples are the Mucking Marshes Landfill in England that was transformed to Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia, USA, Qiaoyuan Park in China and Chambers Gully in Australia.

5. Embrace Sustainable Water Management:

Nigeria faces growing water scarcity. Inadequate access to water contributes to the water and sanitation crisis in Nigeria. According to the World Bank, approximately 70 million Nigerians do not have access to safe drinking water and 144 million do not have access to basic sanitation facilities.

One solution to the water crisis that affects climate change in Nigeria is to adopt sustainable water management.

Rainwater harvesting systems can capture and store precious rainwater for later use. This captured water can be used for irrigation, washing, or even drinking after proper treatment.

Promoting water-saving practices like fixing leaky faucets and taking shorter showers can further reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

6. Empowering Communities, Building Together:

The success of climate solutions hinges on community engagement.  Investing in education and awareness programs empowers communities to understand the threat of climate change and take ownership of solutions.

Supporting local NGOs and community leaders who are spearheading climate action initiatives is crucial.

These six solutions are just a starting point.

By adopting these practices and fostering a spirit of innovation, Nigerian communities can build resilience, mitigate the effects of climate change, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The journey towards a climate-resilient Nigeria requires collaboration between government, businesses, and communities.

With collective action and a commitment to these simple yet impactful solutions, Nigeria can not only weather the storm of climate change but emerge stronger and more sustainable than ever before.

In its 2024 edition, the Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize to discover, accelerate, and scale innovative solutions to repair and regenerate the planet, is awarded annually to five outstanding initiatives across five categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix our Climate. 

Organized in collaboration with partners like Temasek Trust, Temasek, GenZero, Conservation International, and MultiChoice, among others, The Earthshot Prize is your chance to make a real difference.

In the previous year, 108 entries from Africa showcased incredible potential, with two outstanding projects, ABALOBI and Freetown the Treetown, making it to the 2023 finals. These projects were chosen from over 1,300 nominees, emphasizing the competition’s global reach and impact.

Benefits

At the 2024 Earthshot Prize programme, winners will receive the following benefits:

• £1 Million Prize: Each category winner will be awarded £1 million prize, providing financial support to further their initiatives.
• Global Support Network: Beyond monetary rewards, winners gain access to a vast global network of professionals and technical experts. This network spans various fields such as manufacturing, retail, supply chains, legal advice, digital technology, business strategy, and government relations, facilitated by The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance.

Eligibility

Innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and activists actively engaged in building climate change solutions are eligible to participate. 

Past finalists, including Reeddi Capsules from Nigeria, Pole Pole Foundation from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ROAM, Sanergy, and Mukuru Clean Stoves from Kenya, have proven the impact of their initiatives and sent bright signals to future enthusiasts.

How to Apply

If you’re a changemaker dedicated to addressing the climate crisis in Africa and worldwide, seize this opportunity! Apply for The Earthshot Prize before the deadline on Thursday, November 30, 2023