Overcoming barriers to scaling clean cooking markets in Kampala: Connecting government and SMEs

In support of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development’s Clean Cooking Unit, ICLEI Africa, through the ENACTUS project is strengthening subnational governments’ability to lead the clean energy transition. A component of this involves fostering an enabling environment that supports private sector participation in the provision and scaling of clean cooking solutions, particularly in urban informal settlements.

Last week, ICLEI Africa and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) co-hosted a multilevel dialogue on local enforcement and compliance pathways for clean cooking businesses in Kampala.

The dialogue brought together national and city authorities including Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development’s Clean Cooking Unit, KCCA ( Security and Enforcement, Marketing, Guidelines and Public Awareness, Risk, Outdoor Advertising, Gender, Production and Community Services departments) and the National Environment Management Authority Uganda, alongside private sector clean cooking companies and sector partners because they each play a critical role in shaping the policies, enforcement mechanisms, and environmental regulations that govern how clean cooking businesses operate in Kampala.

A key highlight of the session was a participatory systems mapping exercise where SMEs and enforcement authorities collaboratively analysed the regulatory and compliance processes affecting last mile clean cooking businesses. This exercise helped identify practical bottlenecks, information gaps and opportunities to improve coordination between institutions. The discussion reinforced an important message: scaling clean cooking is not only about technology and financing, but also about building transparent, predictable and supportive regulatory environments for the businesses delivering these solutions.