Bboxx, TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda Team Up to Expand Clean Cooking Access

Bboxx has joined forces with TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda to scale up the distribution of Liquid Petroleum Gas for clean cooking, aiming to reach 1 million people in Rwanda over the next five years. This partnership follows a successful pilot program in 2023 and focuses on Kigali and beyond.

During the pilot phase, the demand for the PAYGo kit was substantial, with higher-than-expected cylinder rotation rates. The partnership leverages TotalEnergies’ provision of cylinders and gas, while Bboxx handles payment collections. This collaboration not only offers financial flexibility to customers but also broadens the market for LPG. The model aims to revolutionize clean cooking access and has the potential to be replicated across the continent.

“Expanding clean cooking access is central to Bboxx’s mission to deliver essential services to underserved communities. We are thrilled to collaborate with TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda, building on our Smart Cooking Valve and PAYGO model to reach more families. Clean cooking facilities are vital for saving lives,” Co-Founder and CEO of Bboxx, Mansoor Hamayun, emphasized the significance of this expansion.

“By merging Bboxx’s cutting-edge technology with TotalEnergies’ sustainability commitment, we are enhancing clean cooking access in Rwanda. This partnership delivers not just LPG cylinders but also economic empowerment and health benefits to thousands,”TotalEnergies Country Chair and Managing Director in Rwanda, Ronan Masseron highlighted the partnership’s innovative approach.

This partnership addresses a critical issue, as 2.4 billion people worldwide still rely on traditional cooking methods, leading to severe health consequences, especially for women and children. The success of this venture could pave the way for a broader deployment of LPG units across Africa, demonstrating the scalability of this business model in improving health outcomes and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Central to this initiative is Bboxx’s Smart Cooking Valve, a technology launched in August 2023. The valve attaches to LPG cylinders and digitally controls gas access based on mobile money payments, facilitating a pay-as-you-cook model. This system addresses the financial constraints faced by many households, allowing them to pay incrementally for gas, as opposed to making full payments for refills. This model promotes a shift from traditional, polluting cooking methods to cleaner and more economical LPG.

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