Eastern DRC Cookstove Project

Project Name: South Kivu

Project Owner: POWA

Standard: Verra VCS

Project ID: 2636

Launched in 2020, these Improved Cookstoves (ICS) are transforming how households in the Democratic Republic of Congo cook their meals. By introducing these ICS, POWA helps housholds to slash woodfuel consumption, curb deforestation, and significantly reduce harmful CO2 emissions.

By reducing the need for woodfuel, these stoves free up household budgets, allowing families to invest in more diverse and nutritious food, strengthening their food security. Plus, they protect users from toxic smoke, creating safer and healthier cooking environments in the households. Thanks to these new stoves, families save money, breathe easier, all while contributing to a greener planet.

The stoves are produced locally in Bujumbura (capital city of Burundi) by POWA, a private company founded by the creators of OBEN. Its production facility, sprawled across a 6-hectare site, operates three dedicated stove-making lines. To ensure smooth distribution, the company maintains a fleet of 14 vehicles for supply chain operations and delivery logistics, supporting the project’s reach across the region.

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Congo houses half of the African forest and is loosing more than 400,000 ha of trees per year

The project avoids deforestation

Traditional stoves uses a lot of wood fire to produce heat and cook the meals

The new stoves reduces by 50% the consumption of wood fire.

Traditional stoves (open fire three stone) makes difficult to control the fire and increases the risks of fires hazard

The new stoves reduces all of these risks with a new design making it more user friendly and safe to use

Traditional stoves produce harmful smokes

The project reduces indoor air pollution and related risk to respiratory diseases.