Work

Barriers to the adoption of clean cooking energy technologies in rural households within selected lower-middle-income countries: A bibliometric analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article provides a comprehensive review of the barriers inhibiting the adoption of clean cooking energy technologies in rural households of lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Bibliometric analysis was applied to identify research trends of the topic. VOSviewer was employed to retrieve relevant publications from the Dimensions database, analyse key research trends and influential publications, and identify the barriers to adopting clean cooking energy technologies in rural households of lower-middle-income countries. Three Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam, and three African countries, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania, were selected due to the high number of occurrences in the research database. The findings indicate that rural households face significant barriers in integrating clean cooking energy technologies, including financial constraints, infrastructural limitations, socio-cultural norms, technological challenges, and policy deficiencies. Hence, the obstacles to adopting clean cooking energy technologies in lower-middle-income countries arise from both intra-rural and inter-rural household barriers. The article recommends that the government implement comprehensive policies and interventions that address financial constraints, infrastructural limitations, socio-cultural norms, technological challenges, and policy deficiencies, thereby facilitating the transition to clean cooking energy technologies. • Adoption of clean cooking energy in LMICs is hindered by household-level and structural factors like cost, safety concerns, cultural beliefs, and limited infrastructure. • Despite progress in some countries (e.g., Nigeria), deep-rooted inequalities and intra-rural disparities continue to affect access and adoption. • Effective solutions require context-specific and integrated approaches that address economic, infrastructural, and social barriers simultaneously. • Governments should introduce coherent policies, subsidies, and financial incentives to reduce the cost burden and encourage adoption. • Awareness campaigns, local entrepreneur training, and stakeholder partnerships are vital for cultural acceptance, technical sustainability, and widespread access.

Source: Energy Strategy Reviews

DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2025.101834

Author: Deborah Andrew Ngusa

Institution: The University of Dodoma

Language: English

Topic: Energy and Environment Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Affordable and clean energy, Zero hunger, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,180