Wood charcoal market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded consistently from 2018 to 2023, with volume rising from 30 922 thousand tonnes to 34 629 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily fueled by rapid urbanization and population increase across the region, which heightened demand for charcoal as a key cooking fuel, especially in urban areas where over 60% of households rely on wood energy.

Production efficiency improvements supported the market's expansion. Initiatives to promote improved carbonization techniques, such as the introduction of more efficient kilns in Uganda that boosted conversion rates by up to 40%, enabled higher output. Simultaneously, training programs for women and young entrepreneurs in briquette manufacturing helped increase local production capacity and income.

Policy developments and a global shift toward sustainable products further shaped the market. Revised export guidelines in Nigeria, which mandated forest plantation establishment, aimed to regulate the sector, while international companies' sustainable packaging initiatives aligned with growing consumer preference for ecological charcoal, indirectly influencing regional practices.

Production wood charcoal in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Sub-Saharan Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 31 790 K t, marking a slight increase of 1.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Wood charcoal exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 160.0 K t, up by 15.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 100.3 K t, which saw the largest decline of 30.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 38.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wood charcoal exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 16.9% of exports, the Netherlands for 10.3%, and Poland for 6.0%. Together, these three countries made up just 33.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 67 004 K $ US worth of wood charcoal, showing a controlled increase of 6.1% compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.3%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 63 167 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 75 290 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wood charcoal exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were spread across many countries. The United Kingdom contributed 24.6% of exports, the Netherlands 11.2%, and Turkey 11.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 46.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, wood charcoal imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, import volume was 7.3 K t, down by 50.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 14.7 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 38.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wood charcoal imports into Sub-Saharan Africa were primarily directed to two markets: Special Categories and China. Together, they accounted for a combined share of 7.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year increase, wood charcoal imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, import value totaled 16 274 K $ US, representing a contraction of 20.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 336 K $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 29.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wood charcoal imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms came from a broad portfolio of suppliers. China accounted for 17.1% of imports, Special Categories for 3.9%, and the United States for 1.9%. Together, these three sources contributed only 22.9% of total import value, while many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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