Advancing a Clean Cookstove Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Transformative Power of Afrikan Innovation

Abstract

A transition to an energy‑efficient, clean and safe cookstove culture among the global energy‑poor can reduce mortality, poverty and positively impact the protection of biodiversity and the climate, as identified in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Despite broad support, only a limited number of interventions have shown success, at scale, over the long term. The uncertain, complex and dynamic nature of sustainable development programmes is increasingly being recognised. Current design methods appear limited in addressing the inherent complexities of the sustainable integrated design of products, services and systems. Transdisciplinary design methods need to be considered, inculcating an African perspective. In this paper, the applicability of indigenised design approaches in achieving a significant shift to a safe and energy-efficient cookstove culture among energy-poor sub‑Saharan households is investigated. The use of innovative transdisciplinary methods, specifically participatory methods embedded in local culture, could contribute significantly to shifting energy-poor sub‑Saharan households to a clean and safe cookstove culture. The integration of Africa’s resilient cultural practices could provide individual and collective alternatives to design research methods rooted in Western ontological and epistemological approaches, in transitioning to a sustainable future. Keywords:Afrikan Design Innovation, Afrikology, Appropriate Technology, Clean Cookstoves, Design Thinking, Radical Incrementalism, Transformation Design, UN Sustainable Development Goals.