Freetown, 4th June, 2026 — Sierra Leonean company Westwind Energy has made international headlines after its Wonder Stoves Carbon Initiative became the first Programme of Activities to be listed under Gold Standard’s new Paris Agreement Alignment framework. The recognition marks a breakthrough for African‑led climate action and high‑integrity carbon finance.
Operating in Senegal, the initiative aims to replace traditional open fires with locally manufactured, fuel‑efficient biomass and charcoal cookstoves. The project is designed to cut smoke exposure, reduce household fuel costs, and ease pressure on forests in rural communities.
Gold Standard Chief Executive Margaret Kim hailed the listing as “an important step in moving climate ambition into practical action.”
For Westwind Energy, the milestone is the culmination of decades of persistence. Co‑Founder Hannah Max‑Macarthy said the recognition validates more than 35 years of local manufacturing and design, while opening new opportunities for jobs and skills development across West Africa.
The programme will roll out in two phases: one targeting wood consumption reduction in rural areas, and another supporting urban households with cleaner, more affordable cooking solutions. Organisers say the initiative will contribute to eight United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including health, gender equality, climate action, and economic growth.
With this achievement, Westwind Energy has positioned Sierra Leone and West Africa at the forefront of global carbon innovation, proving that African enterprises can lead in shaping climate solutions.
