Eni expands Angola sustainability efforts through clean cookstove production, agroforestry restoration, job creation, carbon credits, and community development.
Eni has reinforced its commitment to sustainable development and social progress in Angola through the inauguration of a new clean cooking stove manufacturing facility in Luanda and the launch of a large-scale agroforestry and environmental restoration initiative in Moxico Province. These projects form part of the company's broader strategy to improve living standards, support environmental protection, and contribute to long-term economic development in the country.
The newly inaugurated production center in Luanda was developed in partnership with the Salesians of Don Bosco and Doctors with Africa CUAMM. The facility is designed to manufacture improved cookstoves on a larger scale, helping to increase access to cleaner, safer, and more energy-efficient cooking technologies across Angola. The opening ceremony was attended by Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative.
The Luanda facility complements Eni’s existing cookstove production plant in Benguela, which has recently undergone expansion and modernization. Together, the two facilities have increased Angola’s total cookstove production capacity by more than three times. The initiative has already generated over 260 jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution operations, while additional employment opportunities are expected as production volumes increase and market penetration expands.
According to João Maria da Silva, Managing Director of Eni Natural Energies Angola, the new facility represents a major milestone in broadening access to sustainable cooking solutions. Through the Eni for Clean Cooking program, the company has already benefited more than one million Angolans and aims to reach approximately 3.5 million people by 2030. The program seeks to improve household welfare by reducing fuel consumption, lowering exposure to harmful indoor air pollution, and supporting local economic development.
Beyond the manufacturing and distribution of improved cookstoves, the initiative incorporates several social development components. These include vocational and technical training programs for around 2,400 students, 130 long-term scholarships focused on environmental sciences and renewable energy disciplines, and the establishment of a dedicated vocational training center in Luanda. The program also includes awareness campaigns promoting better nutrition practices and improved hygiene standards among local communities.
In addition to its clean cooking efforts, Eni announced the launch of a sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration project in collaboration with C4 EcoSolutions. The project will be implemented in Moxico Province and aims to promote environmentally responsible agricultural practices while restoring degraded forest ecosystems. The initiative is expected to cover approximately 40,000 hectares over time and engage up to 20,000 farmers.
The program focuses on enhancing soil fertility, improving agricultural productivity, increasing resilience to climate-related challenges, conserving biodiversity, and supporting carbon sequestration. At peak implementation, the project is expected to create as many as 700 jobs while providing local communities with technical support, training opportunities, and capacity-building programs. Particular emphasis will be placed on ensuring gender equality and inclusive participation.
Eni’s Clean Cooking initiative forms part of a broader regional strategy to address energy poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly one billion people still lack access to modern cooking solutions. Across seven African countries—Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Madagascar—the program has already reached over 4.6 million beneficiaries. Eni aims to extend this impact to 10 million people by 2027 and 20 million by 2030.
Furthermore, the agroforestry and ecosystem restoration project supports Eni’s decarbonization roadmap. By restoring degraded land, improving agricultural productivity, and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the initiative is expected to generate certified carbon credits that can contribute to both project sustainability and the company’s long-term climate objectives.
Impact of the Product
The primary product impacted by this development is the improved clean cookstove. The expansion of production facilities in Luanda and Benguela will significantly increase the availability of affordable, energy-efficient cooking solutions across Angola. Greater adoption of improved cookstoves is expected to reduce dependence on traditional biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal, lowering household fuel expenses while improving indoor air quality and public health outcomes.
The initiative is also likely to stimulate local manufacturing and distribution networks, creating employment opportunities and encouraging the growth of supporting industries such as metal fabrication, logistics, retail distribution, and maintenance services. Increased demand for improved cookstoves could foster innovation in stove design, durability, and fuel efficiency, enhancing product competitiveness across African markets.
The agroforestry and ecosystem restoration project further strengthens the long-term sustainability of rural agricultural production by improving soil quality and climate resilience. Farmers participating in the program may experience improved crop yields and more stable incomes, increasing purchasing power and supporting broader economic development.
Additionally, the generation of carbon credits from verified emissions reductions and carbon sequestration could create an additional revenue stream, helping sustain future expansion of both clean cooking and environmental restoration initiatives. Overall, these projects enhance environmental, social, and economic outcomes while supporting Angola’s sustainable development objectives.
