Through the Forward7 programme, a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia initiative, the pilot project will provide 50,000 affordable Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) kits to Rwandan families over the next 18 months.
Implemented by Bboxx, the project targets households in Kigali, Musanze, Muhanga, Rwamagana, and Huye.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, October 29, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Forward7 said each LPG kit includes a two-burner stove, a 12 kg gas cylinder, and a smart valve with a pay-as-you-go system, designed to make clean cooking accessible to low-income households that have not yet received subsidies.
"Rwanda's national energy balance statistics show that biomass (mostly wood fuel) accounts for the majority of the country's total energy consumption. This partnership aims to reduce dependence on biomass by providing access to modern, cleaner cooking solutions," the statement reads.
Since its launch in Kigali in February 2025, the programme has already reached more than 6,000 households. With the expansion to Rwamagana and Musanze, officials expect broader uptake of cleaner cooking solutions across the country within a year.
The initiative also aims to generate carbon credits, with proceeds reinvested into further clean cooking projects, supporting Rwanda's long-term commitment to a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient future.
The partners said Bboxx will continue to run community awareness campaigns to inform eligible households about the benefits of switching to LPG and the availability of the kits.
Forward7, launched in 2021 under the Middle East Green Initiative, has a global mission to provide cleaner cooking alternatives to vulnerable populations, reducing the risks associated with traditional cooking practices such as coal and wood use.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
