The African Development Bank Group’s  Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility (RPFF) has unveiled a new Clean Cooking Programme aimed at scaling access to modern cooking solutions across Africa, in a major push to improve energy access, public health, and climate outcomes.

The announcement was made during the African Development Bank Group’s 2026 Annual Meetings at a special session held on May 27, hosted by the Government of Italy in partnership with the AfDB.

The programme, known as the RPFF Clean Cooking Programme (RCCP), will be supported by an initial €25 million financing envelope. It is expected to provide clean cooking access to about one million households while cutting approximately five million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The initiative aligns with clean cooking targets under the Mission 300 national energy compacts and will be implemented in collaboration with partners including the International Energy Agency.

Established in February 2025, the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility is designed as a catalytic financing platform combining grants and concessional funding. It is intended to accelerate investments in energy, transport, and water infrastructure across Africa while addressing challenges linked to climate vulnerability, fragility, and irregular migration.

Speaking at the event, officials said clean cooking remains a critical development priority, noting that nearly one billion people across Africa still lack access to safe and modern cooking solutions, with wide-ranging impacts on health, gender equality, and economic productivity.

Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, said the new programme represents a strategic step in expanding investment into clean cooking solutions and highlighted its potential to deliver rapid, measurable impact when supported by strong partnerships.

Italian government representatives also emphasized the programme’s alignment with the Mattei Plan for Africa, describing clean cooking as one of the most urgent development challenges facing the continent.

Lorenzo Ortona, Deputy Coordinator of the Mission Structure for the Mattei Plan at the Office of the Italian Prime Minister, said the initiative goes beyond energy access, stressing its importance for dignity, opportunity, and improved quality of life across African communities.

Representatives from Denmark, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia also took part in discussions on the role of the RPFF and national priorities for clean cooking expansion. Denmark reaffirmed its support for the initiative following its decision to join the facility in December 2025.

Kenya, which will host the second Africa Clean Cooking Summit in Nairobi from July 9 to 10, 2026, is developing an e-cooking market development programme with support from the RPFF. Ethiopia and Zambia also highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate clean cooking into broader national energy and climate strategies.

Since its establishment, the RPFF has attracted about €168 million in commitments from donors including Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Denmark. Its portfolio spans projects such as solar-powered water systems in Ethiopia, green mini-grids in Mauritania, and transport infrastructure along the Lobito Corridor in Angola and Zambia, with additional co-financing leveraged from development partners.

Francesca Utili, Alternate Governor at Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, said the facility has demonstrated strong execution capacity and effective partnership coordination, noting its expanding pipeline of projects aligned with Africa’s infrastructure and energy needs.

The Africa Clean Cooking Summit is scheduled to hold in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 9 to 10, 2026.