BURN recognised at 2025 Ashden Awards for expanding clean cooking access across Africa

KENYA – BURN, Africa’s leading clean cookstove manufacturer and carbon project developer, has won the 2025 Ashden Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Global South.

The announcement was made during the 25th anniversary Ashden Awards ceremony held at the Royal Geographical Society in London on June 11.

The award celebrates BURN’s growth and impact in delivering clean cooking appliances to homes across Africa. Since its founding, the company has distributed more than 5.5 million cooking devices, including biomass, LPG, and electric options, reaching over 28 million people.

Its ECOA Induction Cooker, which runs on electricity and includes cellular-enabled features, has been one of the company’s standout products.

“When we first received our award, we only had 50 staff selling our improved charcoal stove, and now we are 3,000+ staff in over 10 countries in Africa and growing,” said Peter Scott, BURN’s Founder and CEO.

“Just a few years ago, affordable electric cooking for low-income households seemed out of reach. Now, with innovation and carbon finance, BURN is bringing our IoT-enabled induction cookers to millions of families across the continent. Our mission is clear: to help the 600 million people with electricity access to transition to zero-emission electric cooking.”

Clean cooking with real impact

BURN’s model addresses health, environmental, and economic concerns linked to traditional cooking methods.

Indoor air pollution remains a major health risk, contributing to roughly 500,000 premature deaths annually in Africa. The widespread use of wood and charcoal also drives deforestation, especially in urban and rural communities.

BURN’s efficient stoves help reduce these risks and generate high-integrity carbon credits that lower the cost of clean cooking by up to 90 percent.

According to the company, its efforts have helped save more than 16 million tons of wood and cut household fuel costs by US$1.1 billion. These savings support both environmental preservation and financial relief for low-income families.

Ashden CEO Dr Ashok Sinha noted the importance of this year’s winners. “The 2025 Ashden Award winners are setting us on course for a fairer, greener, better future. These are proven solutions with enormous impact, led by true climate pioneers,” he said.

“In Ashden’s 25th year, we are delighted to celebrate these inclusive and inspiring champions.”

Dr Sinha added: “In today’s turbulent world, our winners are illuminating the way forward, improving lives as well as slashing carbon emissions by creating new jobs, cutting energy bills, improving health and building stronger communities. Congratulations to every one of them.”

Backed by long-term commitment

This is BURN’s second Ashden Award. The company first received the prize in 2015 for its work in Kenya. Peter Scott himself was first recognised by Ashden two decades ago for his role in advancing clean energy solutions.

This year’s awards come during the UK’s Great Big Green Week and just ahead of London Climate Action Week.

They also included remarks from UK Climate Envoy Rachel Kyte, Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate, and Myra Anubi of BBC World Service.

As part of the 2025 Ashden Awards, BURN will receive ongoing support, including global media exposure and access to key networks of funders, investors, and climate policy experts.

The 2025 award cycle also featured the Breaking Barriers category, which recognised new climate-focused organisations such as Emergent Energy in the UK.

Alongside BURN, SELCO in India was also honoured in the Global South category. Other UK-based winners included Repowering London and Cotality.

Ashden’s work continues to highlight climate solutions that have both social and environmental impact. Over the last 25 years, more than 270 groups have been recognised, showing that clean energy progress is possible, and already underway.

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