Rwanda is making steady progress in expanding access to clean cooking energy, yet millions of households still rely on charcoal and firewood due to affordability, accessibility, and distribution challenges. These barriers continue to slow down the transition to clean cooking, despite strong national commitments and growing interest from development partners.
To address this gap, a new model is emerging through the Tekeraheza digital ecosystem—an ambitious, technology-driven approach designed to reshape how LPG is distributed, accessed, and managed across the country. At the center of this vision is the planned rollout of 1 million open-access 3kg LPG cylinders with D20 valves over the next five years, aimed at creating a more inclusive, efficient, and scalable clean cooking system.
A New Model for LPG Distribution in Rwanda
The proposed system rethinks traditional LPG supply chains by combining physical infrastructure expansion with digital coordination.
The idea of open-access 3kg Tekeraheza cylinders emerged after recognizing that Yes Shop Ltd, as an innovative LPG distribution company, can effectively leverage the ongoing development and completion of a national LPG storage facility in Rusororo. This strategic infrastructure, developed as a public–private initiative between the Government of Rwanda and private sector partners, creates a strong foundation for improving national supply stability, optimizing storage capacity, and strengthening overall LPG market efficiency.
This central infrastructure can be complemented by a decentralized network of small LPG filling plants (10–20 tons) distributed across all 30 districts of Rwanda. If the market buys the idea, this structure is designed to bring LPG closer to end users, reduce transport costs, improve last-mile availability, and increase energy access in both rural and peri-urban areas.
Open-Access Cylinders: A Shift in Market Structure
At the heart of the Tekeraheza model is the introduction of open-access 3kg LPG cylinders. Unlike traditional systems where cylinders are tied to specific brands or operators, these cylinders are designed to be universally refillable at any authorized filling plant.
This means:
- Any certified LPG filling plant can refill a 3kg Tekeraheza cylinders;
- Brand-based refill restrictions are removed on 3kg Tekeraheza cylinders;
- Competition shifts from cylinder ownership to service quality and accessibility.
This structural shift is expected to increase efficiency, reduce refill costs, and expand consumer choice, particularly for low-income households that are most affected by fuel affordability challenges.
Digital Safety and Cylinder Management
To ensure safety, transparency, and accountability, the entire ecosystem will be managed through the tested and proven Tekeraheza App — a digital platform that connects consumers, dealers, and LPG filling plants. The system enables:
- Cylinder registration and identification
- Tracking of cylinder movement and refill history
- Verification of authorized refills
- Safety monitoring and compliance management
- Data collection for demand forecasting and planning
By digitizing the LPG value chain, the system enhances safety while enabling the scalable and efficient utilization of the 3kg Tekeraheza cylinder infrastructure across multiple operators.
Improving Last-Mile Access for Households
The model places strong emphasis on accessibility at the community level. Through the Tekeraheza platform, households will be able to:
- Access LPG services closer to where they live
- Benefit from faster and more reliable refill cycles
- Connect directly with authorized dealers
This approach reduces travel distance, waiting time, and supply uncertainty, making LPG a more practical and reliable option for everyday cooking needs.
Development Impact and National Benefits
The open-access LPG ecosystem for 3kg Tekeraheza cylinders is designed to support Rwanda’s clean energy and climate goals by delivering strong environmental, health, economic, and energy access benefits.
Environmentally, it will reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood, lowering deforestation pressure, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting cleaner household energy use.
Socially, wider LPG adoption will reduce indoor air pollution, decrease respiratory diseases linked to biomass fuels, and improve household well-being, especially for women and children.
Economically, the expansion of decentralized LPG infrastructure will create jobs in distribution, logistics, and retail, stimulate local investment, and strengthen small and medium enterprises across districts. It will also improve energy access by making clean cooking more affordable and reducing inequality between urban and rural areas.
Finally, digital monitoring will strengthen safety and accountability by enabling full traceability of cylinders, improving compliance, and reducing risks of misuse and illegal refilling.
Redefining Competition in the Energy Sector
In this model, the focus shifts away from competition among LPG providers. Instead, the real challenge becomes addressing the dominant role of charcoal as the primary cooking fuel in Rwanda.
By creating an open and digitally enabled LPG ecosystem, stakeholders can work collectively to accelerate the transition toward clean cooking at scale. This approach encourages collaboration among LPG suppliers, regulators, technology providers, and development partners, rather than fragmentation within the sector.
A Call for Strategic Partnership
Realizing this vision will require strong collaboration between development partners, clean cooking organizations, investors, government institutions, and LPG industry stakeholders. Together, we can accelerate access to safe, affordable, and sustainable clean cooking solutions across Rwanda.
Key areas for collaboration include:
- Pilot implementation of open access 3kg Tekeraheza and phased national rollout.
- Deployment of open-access 3kg LPG cylinders nationwide.
- Mobilize private sector investment to establish at least one LPG filling plant in every district, improving nationwide access, supply reliability, and distribution efficiency.
Conclusion
The future of clean cooking in Rwanda depends not only on fuel availability, but on the systems that govern access, affordability, and safety.
The Tekeraheza open-access LPG model offers a new pathway—one that integrates infrastructure, digital innovation, and inclusive market design to accelerate clean cooking adoption.
By reimagining how LPG is distributed and managed, Rwanda has an opportunity to become a regional leader in clean cooking transformation—delivering healthier homes, a cleaner environment, and stronger energy access for all.