In this episode of Energy Newsbeat – Conversations in Energy, Stu Turley sits down with Cyrus Brooks of RBAC and Anne Atkinson Hyre, Executive Director of the Bettering Human Lives Foundation, to tackle the global energy poverty crisis. Over 2 billion people still rely on firewood, charcoal, or dung for cooking, facing severe health risks, environmental damage, and lost economic opportunities. Anne explains how the foundation provides low-interest loans to local LPG entrepreneurs, helping households and schools transition to safer, cleaner, and more efficient cooking fuels. Cyrus discusses how energy access enables entrepreneurship, economic growth, and improved quality of life. Learn how practical, sustainable energy solutions are transforming communities and truly bettering human lives.

???? Links / Resources:

Bettering Human Lives Foundation:

• https://betteringhumanlives.org
• RBAC: https://rbac.com/

Connect with Cyrus on his LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrus-brooks-03274713/

Connect with Anne here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-atkinson-hyre-a6b1848/

Thank you, Anne and Cyrus, for stopping by the podcast - I had an absolute blast, and this is making a difference in people's lives - Stu

Highlights of the Podcast 

00:00 - Intro

1:05 – Cyrus Brooks on RBAC & GasTech Milan

4:28 – Anne Hyre on Bettering Human Lives & energy poverty

6:16 – LPG impact on African households & jobs

9:45 – Economic approach to solving energy poverty

10:00 – Foundation’s low-interest loans explained

13:46 – Scaling LPG businesses in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia

15:18 – Goal: 1M households & 1,000 schools by 2030

17:51 – Loan benefits vs commercial banks

18:39 – How to donate & support the foundation

21:06 – Success stories & African Energy Chamber model

24:25 – Cyrus: energy drives commerce & prosperity

25:49 – Environmental impact: deforestation & emissions

26:30 – LPG cookstoves improve health, time & environment

27:32 – Anne shares personal experience & passion

28:20 – Upcoming trips & speaking events

28:55 – Closing thoughts from Anne & Cyrus

30:19 – Show notes & links