Addressing Polluting Fuels and Climate Change for a Healthier Population in Rwanda on 16 March 2026, the WHO-hosted RBC / CLEAN-Air(Africa) Symposium in Kigali brought together researchers, policymakers, and national Rwandan stakeholders to explore solutions to #householdairpollution (HAP) and its impact on health and climate. The event showcased CLEAN-Air(Africa) global health research that is helping to inform national policy on clean energy, climate, and health in Rwanda. The event opened with inspiring keynote presentations from Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre, and Prof Daniel Pope, Director of CLEAN-Air(Africa), highlighting the urgency of tackling polluting fuels to protect population health across Rwanda and the wider African region. The symposium convened representatives from the RWANDA MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE MININFRA), Ministry of Health Rwanda), and Rwanda Environment Management Authority, alongside leading stakeholders across the climate, health, and energy sectors.
💡 Key insights from the symposium included:
🟢 Household air pollution remains a major health challenge. Over 90% of households in Rwanda rely on polluting fuels, contributing to an estimated 10,230 deaths annually, with women disproportionately affected due to cooking exposure. In Rwanda, 14 women die every day from exposure to household air pollution while cooking for their families.
🟢 Urban cooking patterns reveal widespread fuel stacking, where LPG is used alongside charcoal or firewood, limiting the potential health benefits of clean fuels.
🟢Innovative interventions are being tested, including a randomised controlled trial using pressure cookers to support exclusive LPG use, as well as research supporting clean cooking transitions in schools.
🟢 The Community Household Air Pollution Prevention Programme (CHAP-PP) is demonstrating exciting impacts, with significant adoption of LPG and cleaner household energy practices following training of community health workers.
🟢 Discussions also explored the future of climate and health research in Rwanda, including opportunities for low-cost air quality monitoring, real-time environmental data collection, and predictive health modelling.
🤝 A highlight of the symposium was the dynamic dialogue between researchers and policymakers, enabling CLEAN-Air(Africa) evidence to directly inform policy discussions and laying the foundation for future collaborations to advance clean energy transitions and protect public health and the environment. The symposium highlighted the value of cross-sector partnerships in addressing the interconnected challenges of energy, climate, and health. We look forward to hosting further knowledge exchange events in the lead-up to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Clean Cooking in Africa Summit (Nairobi, 9–10 July 2026).
