BRILHO programme drives improved cooking solutions for a healthier and more sustainable future

In Mozambique, millions of families still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking, facing high costs, health risks, and significant environmental impacts. The BRILHO Programme, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden and implemented by SNV, is changing this reality by promoting access to improved cookstoves. These stoves reduce fuel consumption, improve indoor air quality, and ease the daily burden on thousands of women and families.

Improved cookstoves reduce firewood and charcoal consumption by up to 70%, providing financial savings and greater cooking efficiency. Additionally, they allow families to spend less time collecting firewood, enabling them to focus on activities such as education, work, and leisure.

"Before, I spent a lot of money on charcoal, and the smoke inside my house caused constant coughing for me and my children. With the improved cookstove, I save a lot and cook with less effort. Now, my home is smoke-free, and my family is safer." – Fátima da Gilda, Nacala.

Indoor air pollution is one of the leading causes of respiratory diseases in Mozambique, particularly among women and children, who spend more time in enclosed kitchens. The use of improved cookstoves significantly reduces smoke inhalation, creating a safer and healthier home environment.

"Since we started using the improved cookstove, our house is cleaner and no longer has that strong charcoal smell. My children no longer suffer from irritated eyes and coughs. I never want to go back to the traditional stove." – Constantino Celeste Ramos, Nacala.

Beyond health benefits, improved cookstoves help preserve forests by reducing the demand for firewood, playing a key role in combating deforestation and climate change.

"Collecting firewood used to take hours of my day and was exhausting. With the improved cookstove, I need much less firewood, and now I use that time to sell products at the market. My life has completely changed." – Adélia Francisco, Nampula

With less time spent collecting firewood and cooking, many families now have greater opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and improved quality of life. The time saved can be invested in productive activities such as small businesses and agriculture, fostering financial independence.

"At first, I didn’t think the improved cookstove would make such a difference, but I quickly realised that we use much less firewood, and food cooks faster. Now, I recommend it to all my neighbours!" – Helena Fernando, Nampula

The BRILHO Programme not only promotes the adoption of improved cookstoves but also supports local entrepreneurs, strengthening the production and distribution of this innovative solution. As of December 2024, the programme has already benefited more than 3.1 million Mozambicans, expanding access to clean and sustainable energy.

To amplify the impact of improved cookstoves, BRILHO launched the "Smoke-Free Village" campaign last year, an initiative that encouraged communities to adopt cleaner and more sustainable kitchens. The campaign aimed to reduce smoke exposure indoors, raise awareness of indoor air pollution risks, and promote the use of efficient cooking technologies.

Through this campaign, many families reported significant improvements in their quality of life, including fewer respiratory illnesses, time and cost savings, and a safer home environment. This initiative reinforces BRILHO’s commitment to transforming cooking habits and creating healthier, more resilient, and sustainable communities.

Each improved cookstove represents fewer trees cut down, less smoke in homes, and a better quality of life for Mozambican families.

See below for the difference in cost with and without the use of improved cooking solutions.