Women break the cycle of financial exclusion and harmful cooking practices
For years, Beatha Mukanyonga began her mornings the same way—by lighting a charcoal stove in her kitchen, before heading to work at Kimironko Agaciro Mini Market, a bustling hub in the heart of Kigali, Rwanda, where she sells fruit and vegetables. Cooking was a slow, smoky affair, and although the daily cost of charcoal seemed small, it quietly added up to a hefty sum by the end of the month. Beatha knew there was a better way: “Gas is a cleaner and more convenient alternative, but the upfront cost to switch was just too much for me.” Like many low-income women in Rwanda, she was trapped in a cycle where expensive, inefficient fuel was the only feasible option.
A program called Financial Inclusion for Clean Cooking Access in Rwanda and Sierra Leone (FICCARS) is working to change this dynamic. Implemented by Energy 4 Impact with financial support from Jersey Overseas Aid, FICCARS is designed to empower low-income women living and working in urban informal settlements through the integration of tailored financial solutions into the clean cooking sector. By providing a pathway to purchase modern cooking solutions on credit, FICCARS not only alleviates the health risks and economic burden associated with biomass use but also helps women build a credit history that can open doors to further financial services.
Why the poor pay more for cooking
In both Rwanda and Sierra Leone, households spend a significant portion of their income on fuel, often opting for the most immediate solution, even if it costs more in the long run. Charcoal is a prime example: a family using LPG might spend $10 to refill a cylinder that lasts a month, while a charcoal-using household might pay the same amount in smaller, daily increments over just two weeks. Charcoal’s appeal lies in its ubiquity, offering small-quantity purchases that feel affordable day-to-day, unlike gas, which requires less frequent but larger refills. Many low-income households lack the cash flow to make that leap, even though the ultimate ongoing cost will be much lower. At the same time, financial services that could make cleaner options more accessible are largely unavailable. Banks and microfinance institutions have historically been reluctant to offer credit for household energy, viewing it as too small a market for tailored products. Similarly, clean cooking companies often lack the capital to offer and manage flexible payment plans, leaving those who need access the most without viable options.
FICCARS is addressing this dual challenge by testing and scaling solutions that improve access to both clean cooking and financial inclusion.
Where the need meets opportunity
FICCARS’ focus on Rwanda and Sierra Leone reflects both urgency and opportunity. In Sierra Leone, only a very small fraction of households use clean cooking solutions such as LPG, while in Rwanda, despite advances in electrification, biomass fuels remain prevalent. Both governments are taking steps to promote clean cooking by rolling out policies to attract private investment and make cleaner options more affordable— Rwanda has scrapped taxes on LPG equipment, and Sierra Leone is integrating clean cooking into broader energy access plans. Moreover, the private sector in both countries is testing innovations such as pay-as-you-go schemes and micro-loans—precisely the kind of innovation FICCARS aims to scale.
Empowering women through credit and savings
FICCARS is working on both sides of the financial equation, helping consumers access credit and savings while strengthening the businesses that supply them.
Since its launch in 2022, our Rwandan partner, Empower Rwanda, has trained 2,000 women in financial literacy, decision-making, and the benefits of clean cooking and relevant technologies. Additionally, 1,000 women have progressed to receive further training in income-generating activities, which has sparked notable interest among food-based enterprises in adopting clean cooking solutions. There are also plans to mentor 200 entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses, while facilitating access to appropriate financial inclusion services to support this growth.
After attending FICCARS’ financial literacy training, Beatha began setting aside a portion of her earnings with the goal of investing in a 6kg LPG cookstove. The impact was immediate. Her household’s monthly cooking expenses dropped from 19,500 RWF ($13.8) on charcoal to 10,500 RWF ($7.5) on LPG—a monthly saving of 9,000 RWF ($6.4). This reduction eased her daily financial burden, allowed her to cook more efficiently, and freed up valuable time to further develop her business. Additionally, every financial transaction made through this initiative is helping her build a credit history—a critical stepping stone toward accessing more financial services in the future.
Alongside this, FICCARS is supporting clean cooking companies and financial institutions to develop financing options that make modern cooking more accessible. For example, the program is rolling out digital financial services in Rwanda and Sierra Leone designed to help low-income urban households and micro-enterprises acquire through flexible payment plans. Other models being piloted include loan products for clean cooking and collection tools which in the future could develop into pay-as-you-go financing for gas refills. Another option under exploration is carbon credit-backed discounts that lower the cost of switching to clean energy.
Introducing FICCARS commercial partners
In Rwanda, FICCARS has partnered with MoneyPhone, a fintech company, to offer financial inclusion services to women in the Gasabo and Rwamagana districts of Kigali. With financing for clean cooking secured, women in these communities will further engage with financial products and services provided by commercial partners, helping them achieve their household and business goals. As Molly Kaari Raichenah, Project Manager, explains, “We expect that women supported through FICCARS will continue to utilize these services, unlocking further opportunities that will improve their livelihoods.” In Sierra Leone, MiKashBoks, one of FICCARS’s commercial partners, is providing women with digital credit and savings tools to access clean cooking products. Afrigas, which previously partnered with Energy 4 Impact through the Enabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access (ENACT) project, is working with MiKashBoks to further expand LPG access in Susan’s Bay, Dwarzack, and Portee-Rokupa communities in Freetown. These nascent partnerships are laying the foundation for a stronger financial ecosystem that makes clean cooking a viable option for more households. As the program progresses, more companies will be onboarded, bringing new financing structures and distribution models that will expand availability.
Taking control of cooking choices
For now, the most immediate impact of the program can be seen in communities across Rwanda, where women are actively applying the lessons from their training and beginning to save through local savings groups. These savings groups, led by trusted women leaders, offer more than financial tools—they also provide support networks that help members pool resources and gain the confidence to make transformative decisions. As financial services are issued, program participants will start building a positive credit history, making them eligible for loans and services from formal institutions, and gradually achieving financial inclusion.
For Beatha, the ability to save and invest has meant taking control of her future. “The switch to clean cooking hasn’t just been about reducing my costs, saving time, or improving my health—it’s been about empowerment. It’s about regaining control over my finances, my daily routines, and opportunities that once seemed out of reach.” With the right knowledge and support, Beatha made the transition and is now encouraging others to do the same.
FICCARS is showing that when barriers are removed, change doesn’t happen slowly—it sparks a steady, systemic transformation.