Wood charcoal market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

Rwanda's wood charcoal production remained stable at 48 000 t annually from 2018 through 2023. This consistency occurred despite the implementation of strict tree-cutting regulations in 2018, which required permits for operators to curb deforestation linked to charcoal consumption. The steady output was supported by ongoing significant imports of hardwood from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, facilitated by a lack of strict regulatory oversight on timber imports, ensuring a continuous supply of raw material for local charcoal production.

The total market volume saw a minor decline from 48 190 t in 2018 to 47 999 t in 2023, primarily due to a sharp drop in imports of finished charcoal after 2018. Continued control measures on forest management and charcoal consumption in 9 contributed to this import reduction. Domestic demand for charcoal remained resilient, reinforced by the national energy policy strengthened in 2021, which recognized biomass—primarily wood and charcoal—as comprising about 83% of total energy consumption, underpinning stable demand especially in rural areas.

In 2023, the government launched long-term environmental initiatives, including the planting of 63 million trees to support the carbon market and the adoption of new environmental and climate change laws aimed at sustainable forest management. These measures, along with ongoing efforts to promote biomass alternatives like pellets and briquettes and rapid population growth sustaining household energy demand, are shaping the future operating environment for the charcoal market while short-term production volumes held firm.

Production wood charcoal in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2019, Rwanda produced 48,000 tonnes of wood charcoal. Production remained unchanged in 2020, showing no growth compared to the previous year. The largest decline and increase were both recorded in 2018, each at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood charcoal from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Rwanda exported 1.3 tonnes of wood charcoal, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 2,500%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 196.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's export partner base for wood charcoal in kind was extremely narrow, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, wood charcoal exports from Rwanda totaled 3,489 US dollars, showing no significant change year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports increased by 13,236.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 410.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Rwanda's export structure in value terms, consistently representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, imports peaked at 189.9 tonnes, while in 2020, they dropped to a low, varying by 60 times between these years. In 2020, Rwanda imported a total of wood charcoal, representing a 91.5% fall compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 167.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was by far the main source for Rwanda's wood charcoal imports in kind, accounting for 98.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2018, imports peaked at 23,050 US dollars, while in 2019, they bottomed at 5,699 US dollars, differing by fourfold. In 2020, wood charcoal shipments to Rwanda from abroad totaled 7,766 US dollars, reflecting an abrupt rise of 36.3% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 75.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 244.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was centered on Uganda, whose share amounted to 80.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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