Biomass lock-in and a niche innovation: A socio-technical analysis of cooking energy in rural Kinshasa

Cooking energy in rural Democratic Republic of Congo relies entirely on biomass, generating severe health, economic, and labor burdens, while clean alternatives remain absent from policy priorities. This study investigates biomass dependence and assesses the potential of cassava-based ethanol—now used only as an artisanal beverage—as a cooking fuel. A mixed-methods design ( n = 287) combined a household survey, participant observation of artisanal ethanol production, a laboratory production of ethanol, its replication in rural conditions using local equipment, and comparative cooking experiments. Multinomial logistic regression assessed determinants of fuel dependence across seasons. Results show that biomass reliance is reinforced by distance, seasonality, income constraints, and the physical effort required to obtain fuel. Health impacts, especially respiratory and gastric problems, are strongly associated with woodfuel use. Experimental findings indicate that cassava ethanol can deliver clean combustion and competitive cooking performance, though technical bottlenecks currently limit its viability as a household fuel. • Universal biomass dependence driven by structural and seasonal constraints. • Cassava ethanol is a viable niche fuel with competitive yields and good costs. • Controlled fermentation raises efficiency by 67 % and purity by 15–20 %. • Biomass exposure causes significant clinical health impacts (EIB 60 %). • Institutional support is needed to unlock ethanol's transition potential.