BURN, a leading African manufacturer of clean cookstoves and carbon project developer, has been recognized as the #2 Most Innovative Company in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) by Fast Company. The recognition highlights BURN’s transformative impact on the clean cooking sector, particularly through its modern manufacturing, digital tracking, and carbon-financed affordability model.
Since its founding in 2011, BURN has grown to become a major player in the clean energy space, selling over 5.2 million biomass, LPG, and electric cookstoves across nine African countries. These stoves have reached 28 million people, saving them an estimated $1.1 billion in fuel costs while significantly reducing household air pollution.
A key innovation that sets BURN apart is its cellular-enabled IoT Induction Cooker, which allows users to transition from inefficient traditional stoves to zero-emission cooking. The affordability of BURN’s products is enhanced through carbon credit financing, reducing the end-user cost by 60–90%. The carbon credits generated from BURN’s stoves are ICVCM/CCP and CORSIA eligible, fetching premium prices of around $25 per ton on the carbon market.
The significance of BURN’s innovation goes beyond just cost savings. According to CEO and Founder Peter Scott, the widespread use of inefficient stoves in Africa is a major public health crisis.
“Three-stone fires and inefficient traditional stoves kill 600,000 people in Africa every year due to indoor air pollution. Eliminating this pollution could save millions of lives. We are now positioned to roll out our life-saving products to the 950 million people across the continent who still rely on dirty and inefficient stoves,” Scott stated.
Indoor air pollution caused by solid fuel burning is linked to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature deaths, particularly among women and children. BURN’s cookstoves offer an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and health-conscious alternative, supporting global and regional efforts to promote clean energy access.
Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies list is a highly competitive ranking that recognizes businesses shaping industries and cultures through breakthrough solutions. The ranking process evaluates thousands of companies worldwide based on their impact, ingenuity, and ability to set new industry standards.
By securing the #2 spot in the EMEA region, BURN has joined a distinguished list of companies leading in technological and social advancements. This recognition solidifies BURN’s position as one of the top African enterprises driving global sustainability goals.
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of BURN’s business model is its carbon credit financing, which makes clean cookstoves more accessible to low-income households. Here’s how it works:
- Subsidized Pricing – The cost of the stoves is reduced by 60-90% through carbon credits.
- Carbon Credit Generation – Once a stove is in use, it reduces carbon emissions, generating high-quality carbon credits.
- Premium Carbon Markets – BURN sells these carbon credits on international markets, fetching prices of up to $25 per ton.
- Revenue Reinjection – Funds from carbon credit sales are reinvested into manufacturing, distribution, and further price reductions for customers.
This approach ensures that even low-income households can afford clean energy solutions, accelerating Africa’s transition to sustainable cooking.
The demand for clean cooking solutions in Africa is rapidly growing, with governments and international organizations pushing for universal clean energy access. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa’s clean cooking transition requires an investment of $4 billion per year to eliminate reliance on inefficient stoves by 2030.
BURN is positioning itself as a key player in this transition by:
- Expanding its product portfolio – Increasing the production of electric, LPG, and improved biomass cookstoves.
- Scaling operations across Africa – Strengthening its presence in new markets to reach more consumers.
- Advancing carbon credit initiatives – Enhancing its financing model to further reduce stove costs.
- Investing in digital innovation – Leveraging IoT technology to monitor stove usage and improve customer experience.
BURN’s recognition by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in EMEA is a testament to its groundbreaking work in clean cooking technology. Through modern manufacturing, IoT integration, and carbon credit financing, the company is transforming lives, saving costs, and reducing environmental impact across Africa.
As the continent pushes for clean energy solutions, BURN’s model serves as a blueprint for scalable, affordable, and impactful innovation. With over 950 million Africans still relying on inefficient cooking methods, companies like BURN are proving that technology-driven solutions can drive real change.
