Cape Verde and the Forefront of Clean Cooking: An Opportunity for Health and Sustainability
Call4Solutions: Clean Kitchen Solutions This represents an unmissable opportunity for Cape Verde, aligning perfectly with the archipelago’s sustainable development goals and the vision of a greener and healthier future for its population. This initiative, promoted by the Solar Impulse Foundation and Winds of Hope, seeks innovative and efficient solutions for the transition to cooking methods that minimise environmental impact and improve health conditions in communities.
In Cape Verde, reliance on fossil fuels and traditional biomass for cooking poses significant challenges. The inefficiency of traditional stoves contributes to deforestation, indoor air pollution and a range of respiratory problems, particularly amongst women and children. Participation in this Call4Solutions offers Cape Verde the opportunity to implement ‘clean and profitable’ technologies that not only tackle these problems but also boost the local economy by creating new industries and employment opportunities in the renewable energy and technology sectors.
Innovation in clean cooking is not limited to more efficient stoves alone. It encompasses a wide range of technologies that can be adapted to the geographical and social characteristics of Cape Verde: from high-performance solar cookers, which harness the country’s abundant sunlight, to biogas systems that convert organic waste into energy, and even electric cookers powered by renewable sources. The diversity of solutions on offer allows for a multifaceted approach, capable of meeting the specific needs of both urban and rural areas, ensuring that no one is left behind in the energy transition.
Taking part in this initiative brings a number of benefits. As well as improving public health and air quality, the introduction of clean cookstoves helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby reinforcing Cape Verde’s commitment to international climate agreements. Furthermore, reducing dependence on imported fuels frees up financial resources that can be redirected towards other crucial areas of development. It is an investment in social wellbeing, environmental resilience and the empowerment of communities.
Cape Verde has the opportunity to position itself as a leader in the adoption of clean cooking solutions, inspiring other island and developing nations. The combination of the archipelago’s forward-thinking vision with the support of the Solar Impulse Foundation and Winds of Hope could catalyse a genuine revolution in the way Cape Verdean families cook, promoting a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
Submission deadline: 30 September 2026
Link to the application: https://solutions.solarimpulse.com/cookstoves-call4solutions
