The Impact of Income on the Choice of Cooking Energy Among Households in Mtendere, Lusaka, Zambia

This study investigates how household income influences the choice of cooking energy in Mtendere, a high-density area in Lusaka, Zambia. Quantitative research was employed and data was collected through the use of questionnaires. The results reveal that 47.8% of households earn between ZMW 1,001 and 3,000 per month, with 50.4% spending ZMW 101–300 on cooking energy. A multinomial logit regression analysis established that higher income and education levels are strong predictors of cleaner fuel adoption, such as electricity and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In contrast, households with lower incomes tend to rely on traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal, influenced partly by cultural norms. Alarmingly, 62.5% of respondents underestimated the health risks associated with charcoal use, and 64.1% were unaware of its environmental impact, including deforestation and carbon emissions. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted policy interventions to promote energy transition and public awareness in low-income communities.