In the heart of Africa, where cooking over firewood and charcoal has been the norm for generations, a quiet revolution is igniting—a revolution that could reshape Rwanda’s climate future, one kitchen at a time.
As climate change accelerates and forests shrink, the urgency to shift away from traditional cooking fuels has never been greater. More than 75% of Rwandan households still rely on firewood, contributing to deforestation and indoor air pollution. In rural areas, that figure climbs to a staggering 93%. Meanwhile, charcoal prices continue to soar, and gas remains unaffordable for many.
But amidst these challenges, hope burns clean and bright—thanks to a humble yet powerful solution: wood pellets.
Pellets, made from recycled wood waste, are emerging as a climate-smart alternative that delivers on multiple fronts—reducing emissions, easing pressure on Rwanda’s forests, and offering families a healthier, smoke-free way to cook.
“Pellets have transformed my kitchen,” says Beata Mukabadege, a mother of three from Nyamirambo in Kigali. “No more smoke, no more expensive charcoal. It’s cleaner, faster, and better for my family.”
Behind this transformation is BioMassters, a homegrown Rwandan company at the forefront of clean energy innovation. With over 6,500 stoves already distributed and a factory in Rubavu producing affordable wood pellets, the company is proving that sustainable solutions don’t have to come from abroad—they can be proudly Made in Rwanda.
BioMassters’ stoves, including the locally designed Red Stove and Made in Rwanda Stove, are clean-burning, efficient, and tailored for both homes and schools. The impact goes far beyond convenience: lower emissions mean healthier kitchens, and less wood use means more trees standing tall.
“By shifting to wood pellets, we’re not just cooking differently—we’re fighting climate change,” says Claudia Muench, CEO of BioMassters. “It’s a win for the environment, a win for health, and a win for economic resilience.”
The potential is huge. If widely adopted, pellet cooking could reduce Rwanda’s reliance on imported gas and help meet its ambitious climate goals under the Paris Agreement. It’s also a gender issue—clean cooking frees women and girls from hours of collecting firewood, giving them time for school, work, and rest.
At a recent workshop organized by BioMassters and the World Bioenergy Association, global experts joined local leaders to explore how Rwanda can scale this solution nationwide. The message was clear: modern bioenergy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for a livable future.
With plans to expand production in 2025/26, BioMassters is not just changing how Rwandans cook. It’s helping write a new chapter in the country’s climate story—where innovation, sustainability, and community rise together.
Because in the fight against climate change, sometimes the most powerful solutions start with what’s cooking in our kitchens.
By Jean de Dieu NDUWAYEZU
