Determinants of Household Energy Transition from Biomass to Clean Fuels in South East Nigeria: Econometric Evidence

Household energy transition from traditional biomass fuels toward cleaner alternatives such as liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, and electricity represents a critical intervention for reducing indoor air pollution mortality and achieving sustainable development goals in South East Nigeria, yet the determinants of successful transition remain inadequately understood at the household level. This study employs econometric methods to identify the determinants of household energy transition from biomass to clean fuels in Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia States. A cross-sectional household survey of 600 respondents collected data on cooking fuel type, household income, asset ownership, education, access to LPG cylinders and refill services, social network influence, and housing characteristics. Binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression models are estimated to identify significant predictors of clean fuel adoption and fuel stacking behaviour. Results confirm that household income, proximity to LPG distribution outlets, female household head education level, and participation in women's cooperative savings groups are the most significant positive predictors of clean fuel transition. Fuel stacking, where households use both clean and traditional fuels simultaneously, is prevalent among 58 percent of transitioning households and represents a transitional phase rather than a terminal outcome. The study identifies the minimum household income threshold below which clean fuel transition is unlikely without subsidy support as approximately 65,000 naira per month. Targeted subsidy design and last-mile LPG distribution investments are the principal policy recommendations. Keywords: household energy transition, clean cooking, South East Nigeria, logistic regression, LPG adoption.