Hairdresser Shola Abiodun Adeyemi, seeking to cut cooking costs amid rising expenses in Nigeria, opts for biofuel gel in her stove.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy in May triggered a surge in the cost of living across Nigeria.
Amidst this, bioethanol gains traction as a cost-effective and renewable alternative to traditional cooking gas, increasingly preferred by many.
With inflation surpassing 27 percent in Africa’s largest economy, regular cooking gas becomes financially out of reach for numerous households.
Adeyemi appreciates the affordability, avoiding the 1,000 naira per kilogramme expense for gas with a litre of biofuel costing just over $1.
‘Cleaner alternatives’
Users claim increased cooking efficiency with biofuel gel, finding it to be a practical and economical choice.
Biofuel gel not only offers cost benefits but also provides a cleaner option, particularly in households exposed to the health risks of woodsmoke.
In Nigeria, over 93,000 women die annually from diseases caused by domestic air pollution, emphasizing the need for cleaner alternatives.
Bioethanol gel, emitting fewer harmful emissions than traditional fuels, could reduce Nigeria’s carbon dioxide emissions by over four million tonnes.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims to promote bioethanol adoption, advocating harmonized standards for cooking and transportation.
‘Products that save lives’
Companies like 93 Technologies contribute by offering bioethanol made from organic materials, aiming to create products that save lives.
While more Nigerian households turn to greener biofuels, challenges persist, and government involvement is crucial to overcoming economic limitations and ensuring safety.
