Keeping Gorillas in the Mist: The Environmental Economics of Clean Cooking in the D.R. Congo

Sebastien Desbureaux, Lara Collart, Nik Stoop, Raphael Soubeyran, Marijke Verpoorten, Mathieu Couttenier, Christine Cikesa, Jean de la Croix Kembere Mulwahili and Natsuno Shinagawa

No 20403, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: Our randomized control trial investigates how to accelerate the transition to clean cooking and quantifies the benefits for people and the environment. Fully subsidizing the purchase of an electric cooker to 1,594 urban households in the DRC led to widespread adoption (85%) and high usage (28% of meals). Charcoal consumption decreased by 34%, reducing overall monthly energy costs by $5.76 despite higher electricity spending. The rise in electricity purchases enables subsidy recovery through a razor-and-blade model. After one year, the welfare gains, including lower CO2 emissions and improved protection for mountain gorillas, are twice as high as the cost of the subsidy.

JEL-codes: C93 O13 Q42 Q51 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-07
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