African leaders, policymakers, energy experts and development stakeholders have called for stronger African-led solutions to expand access to clean cooking and tackle energy poverty across the continent.
The call was made on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the African Clean Cooking Transition (ACCT) Forum pre-launch held at the African Union Hall in New York, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81).
The high-level forum, organised by the Global Sustainable Energy & Leadership (G-SEL) Network in collaboration with the African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African Union, was themed “Energy, climate action and poverty eradication on Africa’s terms.”
The gathering brought together government officials, energy professionals, climate advocates, development organisations and private-sector stakeholders to examine practical ways of using clean cooking as a tool for improving energy access, creating jobs, supporting businesses and reducing poverty.
The ACCT initiative is designed as an African-led economic platform that seeks to place clean cooking at the centre of Africa’s energy transition, while creating opportunities in enterprise development, digital innovation, climate finance and green jobs.
Among those who participated in the forum were the Executive Director of G-SEL Network and Convener of the ACCT Forum, Joy Osiomwanne-O; Chairperson of the First Ladies/Governors’ Spouses Forum, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Executive Director of AFREC, Dr. Rashid Ali Abdallah; and Presiding Officer of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), Louis Cheick Sissoko.
Some other First ladies in attendance are Katsina State: H.E. Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, Ebonyi State: H.E. Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, Abia State: H.E. Mrs. Priscilla Otti and Chairperson’s Guest: Mrs. Yvette Adeosun, (Kuramo Capital)
Other prominent participants included Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Economy, Mozambique, Basilio Zefanias Muhate; Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gian-Mensah; Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome W. Makamba; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.
The forum also featured contributions from UNDP, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the Women in Energy Network (WIEN), the Federal Capital Territory Administration and other stakeholders.
Discussions at the meeting focused on practical measures for accelerating the transition to cleaner cooking solutions, particularly through increased utilisation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), improved transparency in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting, and the development of carbon-credit financing mechanisms.
Participants also examined ways of ensuring that women, who are central to household energy use and small-scale economic activities, benefit directly from the clean cooking transition through local enterprises, skills development and green job opportunities.
The organisers said the commitments and ideas generated at the New York meeting would form part of the groundwork for the full launch of the African Clean Cooking Transition Forum.
The full ACCT Forum is scheduled to take place during the main G-SEL Conference in Westminster, London, from December 15 to 17, 2026.
The initiative is expected to continue the conversation on how Africa can develop energy and climate solutions that respond to its peculiar economic realities while contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development.