LPG Data in Africa

As countries work towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 which aims to ensure access to clean and affordable energy, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has emerged globally as a pivotal energy source for transition to cleaner cooking methods. LPG has been recognised as an efficient and cleaner alternative to traditional biomass fuels such as wood fuel and charcoal. Africa is highly reliant on wood fuel and charcoal for cooking but has progressively seen a significant increase in the usage of LPG fuel mainly in urban areas.

Access to affordable, reliable and sustainable modern energy for all is essential for the development of agriculture, businesses, communications, education, healthcare, and transport sectors.  Energy security is one of the priorities of the African Union's 2063 Agenda as access to clean cooking remains a challenge in Africa. Approximately 80% of the population lacks access to clean cooking which poses a public health problem in Africa, particularly for women.

In Africa, several projects and programs aimed at improving access to clean cooking solutions in Africa have been implemented. One of these is promoting the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) among the African populations. These initiatives are being implemented at the national, regional, and continental levels to encourage the use of LPG on the African continent. To ensure effective planning and relevant monitoring and evaluation of these programs, it is essential to have reliable and high-quality data on the LPG sector at the national, regional, and continental levels.

Globally, LPG comprising of mainly butane and propane, accounts for 1.2% of energy consumption while in Africa, LPG now accounts for estimated 2,5 %. The African Energy Commission collects data on LPG consumption annually through the Energy Balance Questionnaire.