In the quiet hills of Rwanda, a woman dared to rethink what had long been accepted as normal: cooking with firewood. Anitha Umutoniwase, founder and CEO of Eco Green Solutions Ltd, turned a widespread challenge into a business opportunity—one aimed at transforming lives and protecting the environment.
The idea began in 2018, when Anitha started exploring how to help families move away from traditional cooking methods reliant on charcoal and firewood. Though these fuels were considered affordable by many, their hidden costs—in health, time, and deforestation—were immense. At the time, 80% of Rwandan households still relied on firewood for cooking.
Eco Green Solutions became an officially registered company in 2020, but the road was far from smooth. They rented production space, had no equipment of their own, and could only manufacture basic, low-efficiency stoves. Still, Anitha’s vision remained clear: to create a long-term solution that addressed both people’s daily needs and environmental challenges.
A major breakthrough came in 2023, when Eco Green was selected for support through the ReCIC project, implemented by SNV and GIZ with funding from the European Union and BMZ. The initiative aims to reduce the climate impact of cooking by promoting cleaner cooking energy systems. Eco Green received new machines and training in product development and business management—marking the start of its transition from low-tier (Tier 2) to high-efficiency stoves (Tier 3 and Tier 4).
Today, Eco Green produces seven models of higher-tier stoves and two types of fuel pellets. These stoves reduce fuel use by up to 71% and can cut 3 to 4 tons of CO₂ emissions per household per year. This means rural families can cook more efficiently, at lower cost, and with fewer health and environmental risks.
Beyond economic and environmental benefits, Eco Green promotes social impact. Women make up 60% of the company’s workforce, alongside youth and men. This inclusive hiring approach reflects a broader mission—using business as a force for community transformation.
By April 2025, the company had distributed over 6,200 improved cookstoves across Rwanda—well beyond their original target of 5,000. Plans are now underway to open 15 new sales outlets across the country by the end of the year. Awareness campaigns and partnerships with banks are also helping more people access these stoves affordably.
Despite this progress, Eco Green continues to face a major challenge: changing mindsets. Cooking with firewood and charcoal is deeply rooted in everyday life, but Anitha and her team are working tirelessly to encourage households to embrace cleaner alternatives.
