Spark+ Africa Fund has committed $1 million to expand access to clean cooking solutions in Ghana, targeting one of the most persistent and overlooked energy challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.
The funding, structured as a 24-month debt facility, was provided to VisionFund Ghana, a local microfinance institution focused on inclusive development. The goal is simple but powerful: help households shift away from harmful cooking methods by making clean cooking options affordable through loans.
Why Clean Cooking Matters
Across sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 900 million people still cook using wood, charcoal, or other traditional fuels. These methods are linked to serious health risks, environmental damage, and time poverty – especially for women and children.
Clean cooking sits at the intersection of public health, climate action, and economic inclusion.
By financing clean cooking through microloans, Spark+ and VisionFund are addressing a key barrier: upfront cost.
How the Ghana Programme Works
VisionFund Ghana launched a pilot clean-cooking loan programme in June 2025. The new funding from Spark+ will allow the programme to scale.
The rollout will begin in four branches, with plans to expand nationwide once demand and operations are proven.
In its first phase, the loans will support:
- Improved biomass cookstoves, supplied by local partners
- Stoves designed to reduce smoke, fuel use, and cooking time
Over time, VisionFund plans to expand financing to include:
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves
- Electric cooking solutions, where grid access allows
This phased approach reflects the reality on the ground: households adopt clean cooking step by step, based on income, fuel availability, and local infrastructure.
A Strategic Move for VisionFund Ghana
For VisionFund Ghana, the partnership goes beyond funding. It aligns directly with its social mission.
“Partnering with Spark+ to secure funding to support our clean cooking portfolio is a very strategic step,” said Frank Alornu, CEO of VisionFund Ghana.
He emphasized that clean cooking directly affects children’s wellbeing, household health, and environmental sustainability which are all core areas of VisionFund’s work.
By embedding clean cooking into its loan products, VisionFund is turning climate-friendly technology into a mainstream financial service, not a niche development project.
Spark+ Africa’s Broader Strategy
The Ghana deal is part of a wider push by Spark+ Africa Fund to scale clean cooking across the continent.
In recent months, the fund has backed several initiatives:
- $6.4 million to Baobab Group Côte d’Ivoire (November 2025) to finance LPG and clean cooking solutions
- $1.23 million to Henos Energy in Ghana (August 2025) to strengthen LPG distribution
- Support for Envirofit, linked to carbon credits from improved cookstoves
- $3 million to Altech Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo to expand local stove manufacturing
Together, these investments signal a clear thesis: clean cooking is investable infrastructure, not charity.
Why Investors Are Paying Attention
Clean cooking sits at a unique intersection:
- Large unmet demand
- Clear health and climate benefits
- Growing carbon credit opportunities
- Strong alignment with development finance and impact mandates
By using debt financing, Spark+ is also reinforcing financial discipline and sustainability, ensuring that clean cooking solutions scale through market mechanisms rather than short-term grants.
For countries like Ghana, this approach supports local institutions, builds credit history, and strengthens domestic energy ecosystems.
The Bigger Picture
Africa’s energy conversation often focuses on electricity and renewables. But for hundreds of millions of households, the kitchen remains the frontline of the energy transition.
Clean cooking may not grab headlines like solar plants or data centers, but its impact is immediate and deeply human.
With this $1 million loan, Spark+ Africa and VisionFund Ghana are turning a long-standing problem into a practical, finance-driven solution; one household at a time.
