Published Online:June 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Case Folio
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJCF010625
DOI:10.71329/CaseFolio/2025.25.2.6-24
Author Name:Barnali Chakraborty and Jitesh Nair
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Management
Download Format:PDF
Pages:6-24
This case study focuses on BURN Manufacturing, a pioneering clean cookstove manufacturer in Kenya, and its efforts to provide sustainable cooking solutions across sub-Saharan Africa. As of July 2022, biomass fuels still accounted for 85% of household cooking energy in the region, highlighting the urgent need for more efficient alternatives. Co-founder Peter Scott spearheaded BURN’s mission by developing fuel-efficient cookstoves, including charcoal, wood, and electric models, followed by LPG stoves. The company emphasized its R&D through the BURN Design Lab and pursued continuous innovation to enhance product efficiency. BURN also established a full carbon value chain, incorporating sustainable manufacturing processes and partnering with credit cooperatives to offer financing options. A gender-focused distribution strategy was employed, training local women to promote cookstoves within their communities, boosting adoption rates. Despite challenges in scaling, BURN implemented financing innovations such as carbon financing and green bonds. The company collaborated with e-commerce platforms, supermarkets, microfinance institutions, and social organizations to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions, particularly in underserved regions. BURN’s impact has extended to over 20 million lives, reducing carbon emissions, improving women’s health, and providing financial benefits
In October 2023, BURN Manufacturing (BURN), the world’s leading producer, distributor, and carbon offset project developer for clean cookstoves, announced plans to issue $10 mn in green bonds to fund clean cooking initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa. The bond proceeds were intended to be used to expand BURN’s manufacturing capacity in Kenya and establish a new production facility in Lagos, Nigeria, to promote the adoption of sustainable cooking solutions throughout Africa. With these funds, BURN aimed to increase its cookstove production from 400,000 to 600,000 units per month. “Our decision to issue the first green bond to support clean cooking underscores our strong belief in the power of financial innovation to drive positive environmental and social change. Leveraging benefits such as investment communities’ interest in green financing and potential tax advantages to investors, green bonds have gained considerable traction in recent years. BURN is excited to deploy this innovative instrument to catalyze sustainable development,”iii said Peter Scott (Scott), CEO, BURN.