Clean cooking adoption remains a persistent challenge in low- and middle-income urban contexts despite technological advancements and policy interventions. This study develops a socio-behavioral framework to explain sustainable adoption patterns of clean cooking technologies in urban Kigali households. Drawing on ethnographic insights, the research integrates behavioral, economic, and socio-cultural determinants influencing adoption decisions and long-term usage. The study critically examines the limitations of conventional diffusion models, particularly the energy ladder hypothesis, and proposes a multidimensional framework that accounts for trust, time-use practices, culinary preferences, and institutional dynamics. The findings reveal that adoption is not a linear transition but a complex, iterative process shaped by contextual realities and behavioral inertia. The proposed framework advances theoretical understanding and provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to achieve durable clean cooking transitions.