Abstract
Improving access to modern energy sources is critical to enhancing the quality of life of many people in
developing countries. In southern Africa, the majority of rural and poor urban households are dependent on solid
fuels to meet their cooking needs. This has adverse effects on health, productivity, and environmental
sustainability. To date, there is scarce information in the literature on household cooking fuel patterns and choice
determinants across the southern African region. Using household fuel data from the Demographic and Health
Survey (DHS), this study investigated cooking fuel types and the determinants of their choice by households in
selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The data on household cooking energy were subjected to descriptive
and inferential statistics. Results show that 25% of sampled households in all seven countries have access to
electricity, while 66% rely on biomass for cooking. Chi-Square analyses revealed a statistically significant
relationship between place of residence and type of cooking fuel, and between access to electricity and type of
cooking fuel. Results from multiple regression analysis showed that socio-demographic factors such as access to
electricity, household size, level of education, and wealth index have a positive influence on the type of cooking
fuel used in this region. However, access to electricity does not imply that households will negate the use of
traditional fuels. These results have implications for household air pollution, health, policy and environmental
sustainability. It is recommended that energy interventions in this region need to consider demand factors and
have to be less supply driven, advocating for continued use of multiple fuels from a suite of options.