A ground-breaking initiative to bring clean cooking to millions of people in Pakistan has been launched by Global Carbon Investments (GCI) in a strategic partnership with Bboxx.
GCI, a UAE based pioneering investment vehicle dedicated to scaling climate finance for transformative impact and a fully owned subsidiary of the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmouk Al Maktoum, is announcing a strategic partnership with Bboxx, a super platform which transforms lives and unlocks potential by connecting consumers and deploying innovative products, especially in Africa.
Together, they are set to launch one of the world's largest clean cooking initiatives, leveraging innovative smart LPG (liquid petroleum gas) technology to provide efficient and affordable cooking solutions.
Bboxx, with its expertise in technology and innovative products, is collaborating with GCI to address the critical issue of energy poverty in Pakistan where access to clean energy and cooking solutions is limited. Pakistan faces seasonal gas shortages, exacerbated by the depletion of natural gas fields at a rate of about 9% each year.
The initiative will roll out millions of LPG cooking solutions, marking a significant step towards transforming the country’s energy landscape. The LPG gas tanks feature a revolutionary Pay As You Cook technology, ensuring affordable access to efficient cooking practices.
The demand for LPG globally is expected to grow exponentially, with an anticipated X8 increase in the next 10 years as populations increasingly rely on gas for cooking. This project aims to meet this rising demand by providing cleaner, faster, and more affordable LPG cooking solutions for low-income households.
Sheikh Ahmed Dalmouk Al Maktoum said: “The partnership between GCI and Bboxx marks a significant milestone in the global effort to combat energy poverty and access to essential services. Together, we are pioneering scalable solutions that address both social and environmental challenges, setting a new standard for clean cooking initiatives worldwide.”
Currently, 114 million households in Pakistan depend on harmful and inefficient fuels for cooking, contributing to significant health issues and environmental degradation. Charcoal and wood, commonly used for cooking, have a 50% and 74% larger carbon footprint than LPG, highlighting the environmental benefits of transitioning to more efficient cooking solutions.
Mansoor Hamayun, Co-founder and CEO of Bboxx said: “This partnership with GCI is game-changing for millions of people Pakistan – improving health while cutting emissions - which is a win-win. As I was born in Pakistan this is also personal as through technology and partnerships like this we are able to improve people’s lives for the better.”
Bboxx has deployed its smart solutions in over 11 countries throughout Africa, benefiting more than 3.6 million people. This includes the provision of clean cooking solutions in Rwanda and DRC. Through its network of over 2,000 committed agents, the Bboxx data-driven super platform facilitates approximately 56 million digital payments annually. With its cutting-edge and efficient technologies, Bboxx has established strategic partnerships with global entities such as Mitsubishi, Shell Foundation, United Nations Foundation and Trafigura.
To make these smart cooking valves more affordable to consumers, Blue Carbon, a UAE based subsidiary of GCI, is actively exploring the potential of linking this enhanced cooking efficiency solution to carbon finance through carbon credits under Article 6 compliant methodologies. As Article 6 negotiations gain clarity at COP28, this potential will be further explored.
