Promoting Access To Clean Cooking And Organic Fertiliser In Rural Ethiopia (NBPE+)

27.06.2025

The European Union co-funded the third phase of the National Biogas Programme of Ethiopia (NBPE+) to promote access to clean cooking across Ethiopia, in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, local communities and the private sector.

Since 2017, the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) have been implementing the programme, benefiting over 180,000 people by providing access to clean energy and sustainable production of organic fertiliser through the installation of 25,000 household biodigesters. The programme has led to significant health and environmental benefits, including reduced exposure to indoor air pollution, annual savings of 100,000 tonnes of fuelwood and a reduction of 100,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions

H.E. Sultan Wali, State Minister for Energy, and Roberto Schiliro, Head of Cooperation of the EU Del

European Union, 2024

Partners at the NBPE+ high-level event in January 2024

European Union, 2024

Context and Objectives

In Ethiopia, over 90% of households use traditional biomass as primary cooking fuel, with a predominant reliance on firewood. The reliance on traditional biomass fuels has far-reaching consequences, including severe health issues, environmental degradation, contribution to climate change, and constrained economic development. This situation also disproportionately affects women in rural areas, who bear the burden of cooking and firewood collection. As a result, they are exposed to indoor air pollution, a heavy work burden, and an increased risk of gender-based violence.

In many rural areas not yet connected to the grid, biodigesters can transform organic waste into a sustainable and clean energy alternative for millions of smallholder farmers who own at least four heads of cattle. Ethiopia having the largest cattle population in Africa, this technology has a significant potential. It also offers numerous co-benefits, including the production of bio-slurry, an organic fertiliser that smallholder farmers can use for their crops or sell commercially.

Building on the earlier phases of the National Biogas Programme of Ethiopia, the EU co-funded the Biogas Dissemination Scale-Up Programme (NBPE+) with a EUR 21m budget allocation to lay the foundation for a sustainable, market-driven biodigester sector throughout the country. Result-based financing enabled the installation of household biodigesters while supporting activities permitted to improve the enabling environment and to strengthen capacities throughout the sector.

Local biodigester construction enterprise in Ethiopia

European Union, 2024

Installation of a household biodigester in Ethiopia

European Union, 2024

Results

Enhanced livelihoods for more than 180,000 rural people through sustainable access to clean energy, sanitation and organic fertiliser
More than 25,000 biodigesters installed
100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions saved annually
100,000 tonnes of firewood consumption reduced annually, reducing the overexploitation of biomass cover
Over 95% of households reported significant reductions in indoor smoke, respiratory problems, diseases, and eye issues
1,800 employment opportunities created, including an increased number of local private manufacturers and retailers
140,000 hectares of land fertilised with bio-slurry annually
An average of 1.43 hours of workload saved per day for women
More than 100 prefabricated biodigesters and accompanying productive use appliances piloted with the engagement of Sistema.bio
Carbon revenues generated through the World Bank’s Carbon Initiative for Development (CI-Dev) programme
Strengthened enabling environment for a sustainable market-driven biodigester sector