iRise Carbon and Mukuru launch initiative to distribute 150,000 clean cookstoves in Malawi

In a decisive move towards sustainability and improved quality of life, iRise Carbon and Mukuru have teamed up to implement a groundbreaking initiative aimed at deploying 150,000 clean cookstoves across Malawi within the next 12 months.

This ambitious project, believed to be one of the largest clean cooking programmes ever conceived in the country, is expected to directly and indirectly enhance the lives of over 750,000 Malawians by reducing wood fuel consumption and promoting cleaner cooking practices.

The partnership merges the expertise of iRise Carbon in carbon reduction and clean cooking solutions with Mukuru's expansive network as a leading financial services platform in Africa.

Their joint effort will specifically target rural communities, where reliance on firewood for cooking remains alarmingly high, thereby improving both environmental conditions and household welfare.

A Practical Solution for Malawian Households

The new improved cookstoves are ingeniously designed to reduce firewood usage by up to 50%, significantly decreasing not only the time spent gathering firewood but also reducing hazardous household smoke exposure.

For millions of families, this initiative promises an upgrade in indoor air quality, making cooking a safer and more efficient experience.

Mukuru's extensive agent network and strong community touchpoints are pivotal in ensuring the reach of these stoves to even the most isolated areas of Malawi.

Remarkably, the stoves will be distributed free of charge, marking a significant effort to alleviate the financial burden many households face in purchasing cooking fuel.

Kruger Laurels, Head of Partnerships at Mukuru, expressed his commitment to community transformation, stating: “Mukuru has always believed in using our presence to create real, measurable change for the communities we serve.

Partnering with iRise Carbon allows us to support Malawian families with a practical solution that improves daily life, protects the environment, and strengthens community resilience.

This is the kind of innovation Africa needs.”

Yani Scordis, Chief Operating Officer Clean Cooking at iRise Carbon, emphasised the broader implications of the initiative: “This initiative is more than a cookstove rollout it is a fundamental investment in the wellbeing of Malawian households.

Cleaner cooking means healthier families, less pressure on forests, and a direct contribution to Malawi’s climate goals.

Together with Mukuru, we are bringing a scalable, community-driven solution that will benefit more than 750,000 people.”

Driving Environmental and Social ImpactAs the programme unfolds, iRise Carbon will spearhead the development and monitoring of carbon credits, ensuring that it meets stringent international climate impact standards.

This initiative aligns closely with Malawi’s national commitments to environmental stewardship, forest conservation, and sustainable development.