A new partnership between Ethiopian fintech platform eQUB and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is set to drive inclusive climate action by improving access to finance for clean cooking stoves and carbon financing. The news was shared by Alexander Hizikias, Co-Founder and CEO of eQUB, who announced the collaboration as a major step toward building a more sustainable and inclusive future for Ethiopian households.
The partnership was officially revealed on October 28 during the launch of the Higher Tier Cooking Component (HTCC) in Addis Ababa. The initiative will directly impact around 18,000 households across Ethiopia and forms part of the larger Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking (SEE Clean Cooking) program. The broader program is co-funded by the European Commission, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), SNV and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Together, these partners are working to make clean cooking more accessible and affordable for households while fostering local entrepreneurship and climate resilience.
Starting operations in Addis Ababa in 2026, the initiative will gradually expand to other regions across Ethiopia. It will use the country’s traditional peer-to-peer saving groups, which are well-known for their trust and collaboration, as the foundation for inclusive finance. By leveraging the existing Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) infrastructure and these community networks, the project aims to ensure that clean cooking solutions reach the most vulnerable families efficiently and equitably.
This approach reflects eQUB’s belief that real change begins with trusted, community-driven systems. Clean cooking is more than a technological fix, it is a social, environmental and economic solution. By introducing affordable and efficient cooking systems, families can save time, reduce health risks from smoke exposure and protect forests from unsustainable firewood use. The initiative will also support women, who often bear the brunt of the health and time burdens associated with traditional cooking methods.
In many Ethiopian communities, saving groups led by women have long played a key role in local economic empowerment. These groups pool their resources to help each other during difficult times or to invest in new income-generating ventures. By integrating clean cooking and carbon finance into this familiar structure, the initiative empowers women not only as beneficiaries but as active changemakers in the clean energy transition.
“Real change happens when we embrace familiar solutions trusted by our community,” Alexander emphasized. “Clean cooking isn’t just about stoves, it’s about health, time, dignity and climate resilience. And when women in saving groups pool resources, they’re not just saving, they’re shaping the future generation.”
This partnership shows what sustainability looks like when it is built from the ground up. It combines innovation, community trust and international collaboration to create a model that can be replicated across Africa. By linking local savings mechanisms with global carbon financing, eQUB and RVO are opening new doors for inclusive financing that makes clean energy adoption both practical and profitable for low-income households.
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) plays a crucial role in this effort. As part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, RVO supports entrepreneurs engaged in sustainable, agrarian, innovative and international ventures. It provides grants, connects businesses with partners and offers expertise to help organizations navigate regulations and scale effectively. RVO’s work strengthens opportunities for entrepreneurs and supports climate-smart innovation around the world.
Working both within the Netherlands and internationally, the agency collaborates with governments, international organizations and research institutions to promote sustainable growth. In Ethiopia, its partnership with eQUB is a strong example of how collaboration between local innovation and international expertise can drive climate resilience and entrepreneurship at scale.
As Ethiopia prepares to roll out this initiative, it marks a major milestone for inclusive climate action.
