SSM Delegation Visits Africa: Promoting Clean Technology to Boost African Energy Transition and Co-Create a New Blueprint for South-South Cooperation

July 2025: As a member of the Clean Cookstove Committee, Zhejiang Huiwenmei Stove Co., Ltd. had the privilege to join a 10-day field research and exchange mission in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, alongside Professor Xue Chunyu (Associate Professor and Director of the Clean Fuels & Cookstoves Laboratory at Beijing University of Chemical Technology’s Biomass Energy & Environmental Engineering Research Center) and representatives from five Chinese enterprises.

Professor Liu Guangqing, Executive Dean of BUCT’s Belt and Road Global Cooperation Institute and Chairman of the Civil Clean Cookstove Committee, participated in related discussions online. Throughout this visit, SSM remained committed to advancing China’s South-South Cooperation flagship project on clean cookstoves—an initiative under China’s global climate action—focusing on effective project implementation, technology transfer, and industry-academia collaboration.

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Tanzania: Strengthening Consensus & Building a Solid Foundation

July 6–8 – The delegation’s first stop was Tanzania, where they held official talks with the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy, hosted by Mr. Nolasko Mlay, Director of Tanzania’s Clean Cookstove Center.

During the meeting, Prof. Liu Guangqing elaborated on China’s "Clean Cookstoves" flagship project, including its objectives, implementation plans, and the latest developments, key technologies, and competitive strengths of China’s clean cookstove industry. The SSM team also showcased their core innovations in stove R&D and production.

Mr. Mlay highlighted that promoting clean cookstoves is vital for Tanzania’s energy transition and livelihood improvement. He pledged to facilitate the signing of an intergovernmental MoU with China and develop a practical roadmap to ensure smooth project execution. Additionally, he proposed deeper cooperation in local manufacturing, technical standards, and tax incentives, aligning perfectly with SSM’s global market strategy of technology localization.

During the visit, the SSM delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with key stakeholders, including the Tanzania Renewable Energy Association, Africa Climate Foundation, Vitol Energy Group, and representatives from over 10 local clean energy enterprises. Focusing on carbon trading mechanisms, technology transfer pathways, and joint talent development, SSM leveraged its expertise in clean cookstove technology to propose practical recommendations. By gaining insights into Tanzania’s technical needs and capacity-building priorities, SSM laid a solid foundation for future Sino-Tanzanian cooperation in clean fuels and cookstoves.

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Uganda: Forging Technology Partnerships for Future Growth

July 9–11 – The delegation arrived in Kampala, Uganda, meeting with officials from the Ugandan Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development, including Herbert Abigaba, Assistant Commissioner of Renewable Energy, and Hatim Muyanja, Senior Officer. The discussions were also attended by Christian Rakos, President of the World Bioenergy Association.

Prof. Liu Guangqing outlined follow-up plans for the Clean Cookstoves flagship project, emphasizing demonstration initiatives, sustainable scale-up strategies, and the importance of technical training—particularly in biomass pellet fuels and clean stoves. Huiwenmei Stove Co. echoed this sentiment, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to skills development and ensuring cutting-edge clean cookstove technology benefits global markets.

Herbert Abigaba presented Uganda’s preliminary plans for clean cookstove adoption, stressing technology transfer and proposing collaborations in local assembly, standardization, and workforce training. These priorities aligned seamlessly with SSM’s strategy for technology localization. Both sides agreed to accelerate intergovernmental agreements, enhance local supply chains, and establish robust monitoring systems.

During the mission, the SSM delegation actively participated in the 12th Global Bioenergy Partnership Clean Cookstove Forum organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The team conducted site visits to key institutions including:

1. Uganda Clean Cookstove Testing Center

2. Vitol Energy Uganda

3. The World Bank Uganda Country Office

4. Several local enterprises

China's high-efficiency, low-emission clean cookstove technology received unanimous acclaim from all parties, with multiple organizations expressing strong interest in:• Establishing local production lines• Jointly developing standardized testing laboratories• Implementing collaborative talent development programs

SSM engaged in thorough discussions with stakeholders regarding specific cooperation details, effectively paving the way for future partnerships.

Notably, accompanied by World Bank representatives, the delegation conducted field research at St. Michael's Primary School to observe the operational performance of large-capacity institutional cookstoves. This hands-on assessment provided invaluable insights into real-world application scenarios, offering critical reference data for forthcoming product optimization initiatives.

Zambia: Uniting Industry, Academia & Research for Sustainable Development

July 13–15 – The delegation visited Lusaka, Zambia, for high-level talks with the Zambian Ministry of Energy, where they were warmly received by Mr. Mafayo Chiba, Director of the Energy Department.

During the meeting, Prof. Liu Guangqing presented the objectives and roadmap of China’s “Clean Cookstoves” flagship project, along with details of the China-Zambia Hydropower & Renewable Energy Joint Laboratory—a collaborative initiative with the University of Zambia. He emphasized that combining Chinese expertise with Zambian research and industry would accelerate capacity building, technological innovation, and industrial advancement in Zambia’s clean cookstove sector. The SSM team reaffirmed its commitment to industry-academia-research integration, proposing partnerships with Zambian institutions and businesses to drive clean cookstove innovation and adoption.

Mr. Chiba welcomed the project’s potential to advance Zambia’s clean cooking transition, outlining the country’s current energy mix and policy goals. He specifically requested Chinese support in:
✔ Local manufacturing (reducing reliance on imports)
✔ Tariff reduction (enhancing affordability)
✔ Technical training (upskilling local workforce)

In response, SSM proposed concrete cooperation measures, leading to broad consensus on:
✔ Joint technical standardization
✔ Carbon credit trading development
✔ Investment partnerships

Field Engagements & Market Insights

The delegation also conducted extensive exchanges with key stakeholders, including:

• Zambia Energy & Environmental Engineering Center

• Zambia Renewable Energy Association

• Vitol Energy Zambia

• Local cookstove manufacturers & carbon offset developers

Through on-site assessments, SSM gained critical insights into:
✔ Zambia’s market demand for clean cookstoves
✔ Local production challenges for pellet-fuel stoves
✔ Existing carbon trading projects and their scalability

This ground-level intelligence will inform SSM’s market-specific strategies, ensuring solutions align with Zambia’s energy access and emission reduction goals.