A World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights the dangers of inhaling smoke from open-fire cooking, equating daily exposure to smoking 3–20 packs of cigarettes. Despite these alarming figures, over half the global population still cooks using open fires, and in Nigeria, only about 10 million people out of 200 million have access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.
The use of firewood for cooking contributes to 4.3 million annual deaths, with women disproportionately affected due to prolonged exposure. Beyond health impacts, it significantly harms the environment, accelerating climate change.
To address these issues, Nupe Energy, a renewable energy startup from Africa, is leveraging technology to promote cleaner cooking solutions. Emerging from the Nupe Project, the company is led by a talented team, including Damilola Onanuga (Design Director), Funfere Koroye (Head of Product), and Omafume Niemogha (Engineer). Recently, they secured a significant investment from Geekonnect Africa, with Sam Uduma joining as Strategic Lead.
Their innovative solution, the NUGAS smart meter, integrates LPG cylinders into a connected ecosystem. This device regulates gas flow, monitors fuel levels remotely, and facilitates refills. Using cellular networks (2G/GSM/GPRS), the meter transmits LPG volume data to the cloud, ensuring seamless delivery. Complemented by the NUPAY app, users can prepay or postpay for gas through mobile wallets or USSD codes.
Cost and Accessibility
The smart meter, priced at $50, might seem costly in a country where over 82 million citizens live on less than $1 daily. However, the Nigerian government has implemented policies to promote LPG usage, such as banning individual ownership of cooking gas cylinders, removing value-added tax (VAT) on LPG cylinders, and introducing import duty waivers on LPG equipment.
To make the meter affordable, Nupe Energy spreads the payment across a subscription period, initially bearing the upfront cost. Over time, customers repay the device’s cost as part of their gas subscription.
Managing Competition and Regulatory Risks
Startups often face the challenge of larger corporations replicating their ideas. However, Nupe Energy remains confident in its two years of research and development. Partnering companies prefer to rely on Nupe Energy’s expertise rather than venturing into hardware and software production themselves.
While regulatory unpredictability in Nigeria poses a risk, Nupe Energy views the country as a launchpad rather than its sole market. Interest from other African nations and beyond indicates broader opportunities for the startup.
Challenges and Outlook
Adopting LPG in Nigeria is slow due to the affordability of alternative fuels like firewood and kerosene, which can be purchased in smaller, inexpensive units. However, with growing government support for LPG adoption and Nupe Energy’s commitment to innovative solutions, the company is well-positioned to drive change.
By embracing local manufacturing and advancing technology-driven solutions, Nupe Energy is not only addressing immediate challenges but also paving the way for a more sustainable future in Africa and beyond.
