Written by: Dady Sadiki Rubangura
As Rwanda pushes toward a cleaner energy future, one woman-led company is turning up the heat on outdated cooking methods replacing smoky kitchens with efficient, climate-friendly cookstoves and sparking a nationwide movement.
Eco Green Solutions Ltd, founded by Anitha Umutoniwase, is not just making stoves—it’s reshaping lives, protecting the environment, and powering economic opportunities for women and youth across the country.
Launched as a business idea in 2018 and formally registered in 2020, Eco Green Solutions manufactures Tier 3 and Tier 4 cookstoves that significantly reduce carbon emissions, cut household fuel consumption by up to 71%, and improve health outcomes. The company also produces two types of fuel pellets, offering a complete clean cooking solution for Rwandan families.
Eco Green’s growth accelerated after joining the Reducing Climate Impact of Cooking in Rwanda through Improved Cooking Energy Systems Action (ReCIC) project in 2023. Funded by the European Union (EU) and BMZ, and implemented by GIZ and SNV, the ReCIC project supports clean cooking enterprises with equipment, technical assistance, and grants through the Cooking Energy Business Grant Fund (CEBGF). Of the 14 companies originally selected, 12—including Eco Green remain active participants.
Before ReCIC, the company struggled with limited factory space, rented equipment, and a small workforce. “We were operating under severe limitations,” recalls Umutoniwase. But ReCIC brought transformation: Eco Green received dedicated machinery, hands-on training in business planning and product design, and performance-based grant funding that enabled the company to scale production and raise product quality.
The impact has been significant. Eco Green exceeded its initial production goal of 5,000 cookstoves, delivering 6,210 higher-tier units during the project period. Each stove reduces 3–4 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, while lowering fuel costs for users and improving indoor air quality.
Eco Green also stands out for its inclusive employment model: 60% of the workforce are women, with the remainder including men and youth. By the end of 2025, the company plans to open 15 new sales outlets, expanding its national footprint.
Yet challenges remain. High raw material costs and customer resistance to changing long-standing cooking habits are ongoing hurdles. Still, Eco Green is tackling them head-on by partnering with financial institutions, innovating sourcing strategies, and prioritizing customer education.
Eco Green’s mission aligns seamlessly with Rwanda’s broader climate and health goals. “Our aim is to decrease fuels that harm the environment and human health. This demands that we work closely with the private sector,” says Jean Bosco Mugiraneza, Director General for Energy at the Ministry of Infrastructure.
With vision, resilience, and the right partnerships, Eco Green Solutions is not just growing a business it’s helping to lead Rwanda’s transition to sustainable cooking and offering inspiration to clean energy entrepreneurs across Africa and beyond.
