Solar Cooking in the Central African Republic
From smoke-filled kitchens to sun-powered futures
Photo Credit: Ulrich Lassida
Solar Cooking in the Central African Republic
From smoke-filled kitchens to sun-powered futures
In one of Africa’s most forested yet fuel-scarce nations, families face a daily dilemma: cook with wood or go hungry. Nearly every household in the Central African Republic relies on open fires—filling homes with smoke, degrading forests, and threatening health.
But where forests are falling, hope is rising under the sun.
With support from the United Nations Environment Programme’s Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN), Solar Cookers International (SCI) is helping communities turn abundant sunlight into a clean, reliable source of energy for daily life.
The Challenge: Cooking is a Daily Risk
Photo Credit:
UN CTCN Photographer: Miranda Rikki Tasker
In CAR, cooking remains one of the most dangerous household activities.
- Less than 1% of people have access to clean cooking
- 98% of families depend on firewood
- Women and children bear the greatest health and safety risks
- Primary forests are disappearing at alarming rates
- Gas and oil remain unaffordable for most households
To protect both forests and families, the CAR government has made clean cooking a national priority, targeting 5% solar cooker adoption by 2025 and 10% by 2030.
The Solution: Solar Cookers Made in CAR
Photo Credit:
UN CTCN Photographer: Miranda Rikki Tasker
SCI is supporting the country’s first solar cooking initiative—designed, tested, and produced locally.
In partnership with UNEP’s CTCN and the University of Bangui, locally adapted solar cookers are being developed to fit real household needs.
Each solar cooker:
Provides smoke-free, fuel-free cooking
Saves time, money, and forest resources
Supports local jobs and technical training
Is built in CAR, by CAR
This community-driven approach ensures that solutions are sustainable, affordable, and owned by the people who use them.
“The training was of great importance in the sense that it gave me development regarding other uses of solar energy.”
— Nayera, Training Participant
Photo Credit:
UN CTCN Photographer: Miranda Rikki Tasker
Empowering Future Leaders
Photo Credit:
UN CTCN Photographer: Miranda Rikki Tasker
SCI’s work goes beyond technology. It builds long-term capacity and leadership.
University students learn to design and manufacture solar cookers
Women become advocates for health, safety, and clean energy
By investing in people, the program creates lasting change that grows from within communities.
The Impact
Thanks to your support, the pilot program has already delivered measurable results:
180 solar cookers distributed across four communities
1,200+ people now cooking safely and sustainably
A national roadmap for scaling solar cooking nationwide
This pilot lays the foundation for a country-wide movement—one that protects forests, strengthens livelihoods, and empowers women.
Photo Credit:
UN CTCN Photographer: Miranda Rikki Tasker
Be Part of CAR’s Solar Future
Photo Credit: Miranda Rikki Tasker
Solar cooking is more than a clean energy solution. It’s a pathway to health, equity, and resilience.
There are many ways to support this growing movement:
Partner
Help scale solar cooking through collaboration, research, or funding.
Share
Amplify SCI’s work at global forums or within your network.
Give
Contribute directly to bringing solar cookers to more families.
Stories from Program Participants
This initiative is a significant step in CAR’s journey toward resilient, community-driven solar cooking solutions that protect forests, improve health, and empower women—hear directly from program participants about their experience below.