Promoting cleaner cooking technologies in urban Malawi: Assessing the acceptance of pellet-fed gasifier cookstoves from a pilot targeted distribution model

Abstract

The uptake of emerging biomass gasification technology that offers ultra-efficient cookstoves remains low in Africa despite its potential to reduce exposure to household air pollution, deforestation, carbon emissions (addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal, SDGs 7, 15, 13), and accidents from burns. Using urban households survey data (N = 216) from low-medium income townships of Lilongwe, Malawi, this paper assesses the acceptability and user perceptions of the Mimi Moto (MM), a fan-propelled pellet-fed gasifier cookstove that was distributed through a targeted marketing model. Findings reveal both very high popularity (91 % of users) of the MM despite stove stacking behavior characterized by households owning 2–3 stoves. Over 77 % of the respondents used the MM as primary cookstove. The performance measures and socio-cultural acceptance of the MM were rated as “high” to “very high”. Cooking timesaving emerged as the most significant benefit of the MM, alongside reduced fuel consumption and expenses. Challenges identified include high stove prices, inconsistent fuel quality, and limited access to fuel distribution and stove-maintenance services. Findings highlight the popularity of installment payment methods with 77 % of respondents favoring this option, including 39.2 % who prefer payroll deduction. The study is among the rising few that focuses on urban settings. Findings suggest that the MM cookstove can offer a cleaner stack alternative to support a realistic goal of clean cooking and energy transition (SDG 7) in urban Malawi. This will benefit from effective distribution strategies to boost gasifiers uptake. Notably, emphasizing stove-cost reduction through creative financing and subsidies to ease acquisition; ensuring high-quality pellets and sustainable supply; providing stove maintenance and repair support; and underscoring cooking time and fuel savings along with health and environmental benefits in promotional messages are key.