Africa-Press – Rwanda. BPR Bank Rwanda Plc has concluded a financing facility to DelAgua Health Rwanda to support the financing of a landmark clean cooking initiative that will distribute 200,000 improved cookstoves to rural households across Rwanda, benefiting more than 800,000 people. The financing supports DelAgua’s agreement with TotalEnergies Carbon Solutions to purchase Certified Carbon Units generated through the project. Over the next ten years, the project is expected to avoid approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
This investment demonstrates BPR Bank’s growing role as a key player in green financing and marks a strategic step toward achieving the Bank’s commitment to allocate at least 20% of its lending portfolio to green financing.
The project builds on DelAgua’s award-winning Tubeho Neza (Live Well) programme, which has already distributed more than 1.6 million improved cookstoves across Rwanda. The fuel efficient stoves manufactured by BURN reduce firewood consumption by 71% and lower harmful indoor smoke emissions by 81%, helping to prevent respiratory illnesses and protect forests.
By distributing the stoves free of charge, the project ensures that even the most vulnerable rural households benefit from clean cooking, reduced energy burden, and improved health outcomes.
According to officials stoves use 71% less wood than traditional methods
The clean cookstove project is designed to meet the Core Carbon Principles, representing the highest global standards for environmental integrity. Measurement and verification will use advanced Stove Use Monitoring Sensors and DelAgua’s established digital monitoring platforms to ensure fully transparent climate impact reporting.
This initiative directly contributes to Rwanda’s target of achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030 and aligns with national efforts toward environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development.
According to Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, Patience Mutesi, “We are committed to driving sustainable growth by financing solutions that positively impact people and the planet. This partnership with DelAgua and TotalEnergies demonstrates our growing leadership in green financing and our dedication to supporting Rwanda’s transition to a low carbon economy. By bridging the financing of this initiative, which will distribute improved cookstoves to rural households, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also improving the quality of life for thousands of families. This milestone brings us closer to achieving our goal of having 20% of our portfolio dedicated to green financing and reaffirms our purpose.”
Euan McDougall, CEO, DelAgua said: “This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation, integrity, and collaboration come together. By combining DelAgua’s proven track record in delivering large-scale impact with TotalEnergies’ commitment to sustainable development, we are transforming lives across Rwanda. This has been made possible through green finance, which is a proven, viable, and strategic financial model. We are proud to partner with a local financial institution, BPR Bank Rwanda, to deliver this project; setting a precedent for similar investments in Rwanda.”
Pascal Siegwart, Vice-President Carbon Markets and Economy at TotalEnergies said: “TotalEnergies is proud to support this transformative project in Rwanda, which will provide cleaner cooking solutions to more than 800,000 people. This initiative reflects our commitment to making energy more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. By promoting clean cooking, we aim to deliver tangible benefits for the environment and public health, while also contributing to gender equality. Such projects are key to driving long-term social, economic, and human development in a sustainable way.”
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