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Women in LPG - LPG Expo

Women in LPG - LPG Expo

Women in LPG - LPG Expo

Women in LPG - LPG Expo

Women in LPG - LPG Expo
Women in LPG - LPG Expo
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It’s not only energy that is undergoing a transition — gender is too. As we reshape our energy systems to be cleaner and more sustainable, we have also transformed the roles and representation of women within the industry.
The role of women in the LPG industry has evolved significantly. Where once they faced limited access to funding, mentorship, and networks, today — with the support of the Women in LPG Global Network (WINLPG) — they have access to strong platforms, where women can exchange ideas, and drive change across the value chain.
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The Gender Equality Landscape

The Africa Gender Index 2023 Analytical Report indicates that women in Africa have made notable strides toward achieving gender equality compared to four years ago. Gender equality in Africa has shown steady progress with increasing from 48.6% in 2019 to 50.3% in 2023, indicating that women now access over half the opportunities available to men in economic, political, and social areas even though some gaps can be improved. 
In the social dimension, with a high score of 98.3%, this indicates that education and healthcare access equally in all genders, where more girls are now graduating than boys at all school levels. These gains suggest that, with stronger education, future generations of women are likely to access greater employment and leadership opportunities across the continent.
While gender disparities persist, governments across Africa have not turned blind eyes on this topic. Many countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Cameroon, have established dedicated ministries or departments focused on women’s affairs and gender equality. These efforts, alongside civil society initiatives, are helping to ensure that women can lead, participate in, and benefit from national development across all sectors.

Exploring the Gender Equality Landscape Across Different Regions

Why Women can play a transformative role for the LPG Sector

The energy sector, long dominated by men, is undergoing a powerful transformation as women rise to leadership positions, breaking barriers and reshaping the future of the industry. In truth, women have long been the backbone of the companies—often in overlooked roles—and now it’s time to fully recognize and elevate their impact across all levels.
In a sector traditionally dominated by men, increasing women’s participation brings diverse perspectives and well-rounded decisions particularly in safety, community engagement, and customer service. Gender-diverse companies can tap into a wider talent pool, filling skill gaps in both technical and leadership roles. Promoting equality also boosts employee morale and loyalty, as staff are more likely to feel respected and motivated in an inclusive workplace. Moreover, LPG companies that represent gender equality enhance their public image and community trust especially in markets where women influence household energy choices.

In Africa, women account for the majority of LPG use for cooking, yet they remain underrepresented in the supply chain (DMRE, 2015). Integrating women into the LPG value chain is not only a strategy for gender equality — it enhances the effectiveness of clean cooking initiatives. Their lived experience as daily users provides critical insights for designing practical, inclusive solutions.

In the Middle East, despite progress, according to the World Petroleum Council, women still make up only 20% of the global oil and gas workforce (Oil & Gas Middle East, 2021). Barriers like underrepresentation of women in STEM education and lack of support in the workplace and  limited access to leadership opportunities continue to hinder progress toward true gender equity (Maximpact Ecosystem, 2018).

Central Asia, despite being underrepresented in the energy sector, is well positioned to advance gender equality, supported by progressive national policies and ongoing reforms. However, women continue to face significant barriers such as gender stereotypes, inflexible work environments, and limited opportunities for career advancement. Globally, women represent only 20% of the energy workforce and just 11% of top executives in the oil and gas sector. Especially in rural areas, limited access to clean energy severely impacts women’s time, well-being, and economic empowerment, making it difficult for them to break the cycle of energy poverty and participate fully in the job market.

Taking these statistics into account, the World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) decided to focus more on women in the industry and establish the Women in LPG Global Network (WINLPG)  aiming to support and help empower women in the worldwide LPG industry through leadership, coaching, mentoring and promoting role models. Through this support, the organisation hopes to enable a change in organizational attitude to become more inclusive and authentic for all genders at all operational levels.

Case Study: Women Role in LPG Industry, Cameroon

From Accident to Advocacy: Bessem Enonchong’s Journey in Clean Cooking with LPG

Bessem Enonchong, Business Development Lead for Cameroon and Sub-Saharan Africa at Kosan Crisplant, is a shining example of how one woman’s unexpected journey can spark transformative change. With an academic background in the Arts and no prior experience in the energy sector, she entered the LPG industry in 2006 purely by accident—an accident that would become a lifelong purpose.
She found that the LPG sector was very focused on equipment and infrastructure, but didn’t pay much attention to the people who use it most — especially women, children, and families in everyday households. In Cameroon, households make up nearly 80% of LPG use, yet their needs were often left out of the discussion.
This disconnect became the spark for Bessem’s mission—to champion clean cooking with LPG as not just a technical solution, but a social imperative. Her advocacy has centered on making LPG accessible, affordable, and safe for the people who need it most. By elevating the voices of women and families who cook daily and care for their homes, she has helped shift the focus of the LPG sector toward a more inclusive and people-centered approach.
Today, Bessem is more than a business leader—she is a powerful advocate for women in energy, a role model who proves that innovation doesn’t require a technical background, but a deep understanding of people, purpose, and impact. Her story serves as a beacon for other women, showing that they, too, can shape the future of clean energy—not just as users, but as leaders, changemakers, and visionaries.

Summary

Women are playing an increasingly important role in the transition to clean energy, especially in the LPG sector. In Africa, where they are the primary users of household energy, women are now stepping into leadership roles that help drive innovation, access, and policy development. Although gender gaps remain, progress is being made. Empowering women across the LPG value chain not only promotes equality but also improves health, reduces emissions, and supports economic growth. The story of Bessem Enonchong from Cameroon highlights how women can lead change in energy, not just as users but as decision-makers and advocates for their communities.