In a significant push to promote cleaner cooking practices across developing nations, British taxpayers are footing a massive £99 million bill to encourage families in Africa and Asia to use electricity instead of firewood and charcoal for cooking.
The move, aimed at improving both health and environmental conditions, has sparked mixed reactions, particularly given the substantial financial commitment involved.
What the Project Entails
More than £55 million has already been allocated to the initiative, part of the government’s foreign aid program.
The focus of the scheme is to transition households in developing countries away from the harmful pollutants associated with traditional cooking methods.
The UK Foreign Office recently approved nearly doubling the budget for the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) project, extending its funding through to 2030.
A large portion of the funding is directed to Loughborough University, which is conducting research on clean cooking solutions.
The university is expected to deliver 650 research reports by the end of the decade.
As part of this research, the university has developed ‘eCookbooks’ that teach families how to prepare traditional meals using electric appliances.
Additionally, a framework has been created to assess gender equality, equity, and women’s empowerment in the context of these cooking practices.
Electric Pressure Cookers and Air Fryers in Africa
The UK government has also financed the distribution of 20,000 electric pressure cookers in Tanzania and Uganda, with a few air fryers given to other countries as part of the program.
Critics, however, argue that such initiatives may not provide the practical, life-changing benefits that many expect from foreign aid.
Taxpayer Concerns Over Spending
Joanna Marchong, the investigations campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, voiced concern over the substantial funding for what she described as “frivolous foreign aid projects.”
She expressed frustration over how such schemes often appear to be more about “virtue-signaling” rather than delivering tangible humanitarian support that could save lives.
The Background of the Project
MECS is part of a broader £1 billion initiative called the Ayrton Fund, which was launched under the previous Conservative government to accelerate the shift to clean energy in developing nations.
Originally, the fund’s budget was £55 million, but in February, it was increased to £99 million, with £39 million allocated to research and a relatively small £5 million dedicated to “clean cooking demonstrators.”
This ambitious project mainly targets sub-Saharan Africa, as well as India.
Possible Funding Cuts Amid Defence Spending Increases
Despite the significant investment, the future of the MECS program is uncertain following recent announcements by Sir Keir Starmer, indicating that cuts to foreign aid might be on the horizon to accommodate increased defence spending.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office assured the public that the UK is closely monitoring the value for money of its Official Development Assistance (ODA), and any decisions regarding the ODA budget would be determined during the ongoing Spending Review.
A spokesperson for Loughborough University emphasized their continued commitment to the MECS project, though they acknowledged that they are awaiting clarity on whether the planned cuts to foreign aid would affect the program moving forward.