Wood charcoal market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, wood charcoal production in Africa increased consistently, reaching 36 381 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was fueled by ongoing urbanization and economic development, which raised household incomes and accelerated the shift from firewood to charcoal for cooking. Demographic expansion and persistently low incomes in many regions maintained charcoal as the primary energy source for over 60% of Sub-Saharan households. During this period, efforts to modernize the sector emerged, such as the formation of the African Green Charcoal Cluster in 2019, aiming to promote efficient stoves and sustainable production methods.

The market continued to expand in 2022, with production climbing to 37 808 thousand tonnes. The same year saw the early emergence of green charcoal as a sustainable alternative, though traditional charcoal remained dominant. By 2023, production stabilized at 38 011 thousand tonnes, with South Africa confirmed as the continent's leading consumer and producer. Notably, more than 100 coal-fired power plants were planned or under development across 11 African countries, reflecting a continued reliance on solid fuels despite environmental concerns.

In 2024, new regulatory measures aimed at curbing deforestation were introduced, including an export ban on charcoal and firewood in the Central African Republic. Simultaneously, initiatives to improve production sustainability gained traction, such as promoting cleaner kilns, training producers, and developing local green charcoal projects from organic waste. Market estimates highlighted the scale of the sector, with demand in Cameroon alone reaching 356 thousand tonnes valued at 17 billion CFA francs.

Production wood charcoal in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Africa's wood charcoal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 35 065 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a 1.6% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wood charcoal from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's wood charcoal exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the continent shipped 173.4 thousand tonnes abroad, showing a significant 12.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 113.8 thousand tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 26.5% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 34.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's wood charcoal exports were highly diversified across countries. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom with 15.8% of exports, the Netherlands with 9.6%, and Saudi Arabia with 6.9%—collectively accounted for just 32.3% of total shipments. The remaining 67.7% was spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Africa's wood charcoal exports in value terms reached 73 883 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 3.2% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 5.5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 82 989 thousand US dollars, which included the largest increase of 6.1% that year. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 71 615 thousand US dollars, marking the largest decline of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value structure of Africa's wood charcoal exports from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diverse set of trading partners. The United Kingdom accounted for 22.5% of export value, Turkey for 10.4%, and the Netherlands for 10.3%, together making up 43.2% of total flows. The remaining 56.8% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood charcoal to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Africa's wood charcoal imports declined in 2020. Import volume stood at 13.4 thousand tonnes, a sharp 36.8% drop from 2019. Despite this recent decrease, imports increased by 8% over the 2017-2020 period, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 21.1 thousand tonnes, following the largest increase of 54.9% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Special Categories, and Indonesia were the key sources for Africa's wood charcoal imports by volume. China accounted for 5.2% of imports, Special Categories for 4.9%, and Indonesia for 1.9%, together representing 11.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, the value of Africa's wood charcoal imports fell in 2020. Imports amounted to 25 570 thousand US dollars, a substantial 14.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 53.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 30 007 thousand US dollars, after the largest increase of 52.2% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value structure of Africa's wood charcoal imports from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified range of partners. China led with 35.1% of import value, followed by Indonesia with 5.6%, and Special Categories with 2.7%, together accounting for 43.4% of total flows. The remaining 56.6% was spread across many smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020