Rwanda invests over RWF 1 billion in fuel-efficient stoves for schools

By The Inspirer.

The Government of Rwanda has invested more than RWF 1.02 billion in installing fuel-efficient cooking stoves in 228 schools across 29 districts, in an effort to reduce firewood consumption, cut meal preparation costs and improve cooking conditions.

The Ministry of Education announced on November 11, 2026, that 241 stoves had been installed in the schools since 2022. The investment covers the purchase, transportation and construction of the stoves.

The specially designed stoves retain heat within the cooking area instead of allowing it to escape, enabling cooks to prepare meals using less firewood.

Their design also places the firewood feeding point outside the kitchen, while the cooking pot remains inside. This reduces smoke entering the kitchen and coming into contact with food, helping protect the health of cooks and students.

Each stove costs more than RWF 1.5 million, excluding transportation and installation costs.

At GS Gasaka in Nyamagabe District, the introduction of the stoves has significantly reduced firewood consumption and expenditure, according to headteacher Martin Hagenimana.

He said the school previously used about 80 stacks of firewood per term but now consumes between 30 and 40.

The school also reduced its quarterly firewood expenditure from approximately RWF 1.5 million to RWF 800,000.

Hagenimana said a single stove can prepare meals sufficient for up to 200,000 students. GS Gasaka has 1,332 students, including refugees from Kigeme Camp.

Daphine Niyonshuti, a cook at the school, said the stoves had cut meal preparation time by half, making kitchen work easier.

She noted that cooking beans, which previously took about four hours, now takes only two hours.

Students have also reported improvements in the quality of meals served at school. They said food previously sometimes had a smoky smell, a problem that has significantly reduced since the new stoves were introduced.

One student recalled that porridge made from maize flour sometimes had a smoky smell because of smoke from the kitchen.

The Government plans to extend the installation of fuel-efficient stoves to more schools across the country as part of efforts to improve school feeding conditions, reduce operating costs and protect the health of those working in school kitchens.