The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that rising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices following disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could undermine Africa’s progress towards cleaner cooking.
The agency said higher LPG costs are making the fuel increasingly unaffordable for low-income households, particularly in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda where pump prices are largely determined by market forces.
The warning is significant for Nigeria, where LPG has gained popularity as an alternative to firewood, charcoal and kerosene. A prolonged increase in the price of cooking gas could push vulnerable households back to traditional fuels, exposing them to harmful smoke and household air pollution.
According to the IEA, almost two billion people globally still depend on wood, charcoal and other polluting fuels for cooking. Household air pollution associated with these practices contributes to about 2.5 million premature deaths every year.
Africa accounts for roughly half of the global population without access to clean cooking. Although the continent has made progress, the IEA said population growth continues to outpace the expansion of clean cooking facilities.
In sub-Saharan Africa, only 23 per cent of the population had access to clean cooking in 2024. About 12 million people gained access during the year, but the number of people without access still increased by approximately 14 million because of population growth.
LPG remains the leading clean cooking option on the continent, providing access to more than 70 per cent of people using clean cooking solutions. It also accounted for most new clean cooking connections recorded in 2024.
The IEA noted that the Strait of Hormuz is particularly important to the global LPG market, with about 30 per cent of seaborne LPG shipments passing through the strategic waterway. Disruptions therefore create significant risks for supply and prices in countries dependent on imports.
The agency also highlighted limited storage capacity in developing economies. Fewer than 35 emerging and developing countries have enough operational and strategic LPG reserves to meet more than 30 days of domestic demand.
Beyond the health implications, the IEA said dependence on traditional cooking fuels creates significant social and economic costs. Households without clean cooking can spend several hours each day gathering firewood and preparing meals, with women and children carrying much of the burden.
Despite the current challenges, the agency maintained that Africa’s long-term clean cooking outlook remains positive. The pace of progress in sub-Saharan Africa is now about three times the level recorded in 2010, while early indicators suggest that 2025 may have set a new record for clean cooking expansion.
The IEA said governments are responding to the LPG supply risks by improving strategic reserves, developing emergency supply measures and reforming supply chains. Some countries are also promoting alternative cooking fuels to reduce their dependence on imported LPG.
It added that increased inventories in North America and adjustments by global markets have helped soften the expected impact of the supply disruption on LPG availability and prices.
The agency expects stronger policies and new infrastructure investments to help maintain growth in clean cooking access through 2030, despite the fresh pressure created by the LPG crisis.
