For years, many households across Rwanda have relied on traditional cooking methods that contribute to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and rising household fuel costs. For vulnerable communities, especially those living in refugee camps and low-income areas, access to clean, affordable, and sustainable cooking solutions remains a major challenge.Inspired by this challenge, Ecogreen Solutions Ltd emerged as a youth-led clean energy enterprise working to transform cooking practices and reduce environmental harm across Rwandan communities. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes improved cookstoves and sustainable biomass pellets made from agricultural and wood waste, offering households a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional cooking methods.Beyond reducing smoke and fuel consumption, Ecogreen’s work contributes directly to climate mitigation. For households in refugee camps and rural communities, this isn’t just an environmental issue, it is a daily struggle for safety, time, and dignity. According to Anitha Umutoniwase, CEO and Founder of Ecogreen Solutions Ltd, each improved cookstove reduces up to three metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions per household annually.
The impact of their work has continued to grow. Following recognition under the In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025, Ecogreen received initial grant funding that enabled the enterprise to acquire raw materials for cookstove and pellet production. This support contributed to a significant expansion in customer reach, growing from 1,8000 to 19,000 active customers.
The funding also extended impact beyond business growth. The enterprise recently hosted youth from five refugee camps across Rwanda at its factory, providing practical training on clean cooking technologies and sustainable energy production. Through a two-day workshop, 30 youth refugees gained firsthand experience on how biomass pellets and improved cookstoves are produced, equipping them with knowledge and exposure to opportunities within the clean cooking sector.
“This was more than a tour. It was about knowledge sharing, transparency, and empowering communities to understand and take ownership of sustainable solutions that impact their daily lives,” says Anitha.
Looking ahead, the enterprise plans to utilize the additional $20,000 de-risking support under the programme to establish three new outlets across Kigali. These outlets will bring clean cooking solutions closer to more households while expanding its climate impact.
Beyond funding, Anitha says the challenge gave Ecogreen something equally valuable, a sharper lens for storytelling and branding. “The challenge helped us learn more about how to brand the business. What I liked most is that it gave us a better perspective on how to make a stronger climate adaptation story.”
The journey of Ecogreen Solutions Ltd highlights the growing importance of investing in youth-led climate enterprises that are not only building sustainable businesses, but also creating community-centered solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.
About the In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge
Led by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) and implemented by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) , the YouthADAPT Challenge supports youth-led MSMEs driving innovation across food security and resilient infrastructure, two priority pillars for Africa’s adaptation agenda.Each winning enterprise from the 2025 Challenge receives $30,000 in grant and de-risking investment support, a 12-month acceleration program, mentorship, and access to investor and partner networks to scale their climate solutions.