In Côte d’Ivoire, we are developing Baleine, the country’s largest hydrocarbon discovery and Africa’s first net-zero project, which is crucial for domestic industrial development, energy transition and diversification of our traditional portfolio. Simultaneously, we have initiated carbon offset projects under Natural Climate e Technology Solutions and applied technological solutions to help counterbalance the project's remaining emissions.
The programme for access to improved cooking systems is the first carbon offset project launched. The project sets out to reduce emissions associated with combustion and use of biomass, while helping to improve the quality of life of families, making traditional cooking methods more efficient and sustainable. With the launch of production of the Baleine gas field, we are consolidating our role in the energy transition and further facilitating access to energy in Côte d'Ivoire. We help the country to establish itself as a regional energy hub, not only for its electricity system, but also for oil and gas production to meet external and domestic demand, respectively.
Côte d'Ivoire
2022 – present
Access to energy
Community healthOur initiative carbon offset promotes the dissemination of improved cooking systems in the most vulnerable communities in Côte d'Ivoire. The project aims to reach about 3.4 million people over 9 years (2022-2030) and generate about 3 million carbon credits, thus contributing to the compensation of Scope 1 and 2 emissions envisaged by the Baleine project.
Starting in 2025, we began to launch initiatives to encourage a gradual shift from "improved" to "advanced" cooking systems. This involves distributing induction hobs in urban settings and pyrolysis stoves in rural regions. These systems encourage the use of agricultural waste, including by-products from Eni's agri feedstock supply chain, as biogenic fuel in line with circular economy principles.
The instructions for use provided together with the improved stoves
Operators working in the laboratory
Stoves being distributed to the community
The new stoves being used in the community
Women show off their improved stoves
Women demonstrate an improved stove
An improved stove
Improved cooking stoves differ from traditional cooking systems, such as the three-stone hearth, in that although they are fuelled by wood and coal, they have high thermal efficiency that enables considerable savings on the amount of fuel needed. With their ability to reduce the amount of wood biomass used by up to 60%, the improved cookers help lessen the impact of cooking activities on deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire. Moreover, improved cookstoves save time spent collecting wood and money on purchasing charcoal, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combustion smoke, as well as improving the health of the people who use them.
One of the distinguishing features of the Eni model is the free distribution of cookstoves, in order to overcome any financial barriers. Furthermore, in order to promote the development of entrepreneurship and the community economy, Eni supports the local production of cooking systems, assessing manufacturers’ potential and helping to strengthen their technical and entrepreneurial skills, facilitating access to technology, capital and the market. Finally, the cookstoves are distributed through local and international organisations already present in the area, which guarantee a regular relationship with villages and communities, along with assistance provided to individual families, key elements in the work of the operators involved. The initiative’s success lies in raising awareness and accompanying beneficiary families in adopting these cooking systems.
In 2025, Joule also launched its activities in Côte d’Ivoire, with a project expected to last around 24 months, aimed at supporting the development of the local educational and entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting the growth of innovative and sustainable solutions in the areas of clean cooking and the energy transition.
The initiative is structured around three areas of intervention, which are closely interlinked:
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