Wood fuel market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded steadily from 85 625 thousand m³ in 2018 to 91 261 thousand m³ in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the country's reliance on wood for energy, supported by government efforts to use wood as a substitute for diesel in isolated power grids and by population growth coupled with unreliable electricity networks in urban areas like Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, which maintained high demand for cooking fuel.

The widespread use of wood fuel, particularly charcoal, has been identified as a major cause of deforestation, leading to calls for sustainable management. Recommendations have included establishing woodlot plantations, promoting alternative energy sources, and implementing a multi-stakeholder framework to improve sector governance through incentive-based taxation, regulatory reform, and clean cooking technologies. In 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development launched a project to enhance governance in the wood-energy sector with international support.

Production wood fuel in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was one of the world's top producers of wood fuel, ranking 5th globally by production volume.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 87 801 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a slight increase of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports wood fuel from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, m³

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Wood fuel export volumes varied significantly, with a 218-fold difference between the low in 2020 and the high in 2017. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood fuel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to 0.1 cubic meters, down 94.7% year-on-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 96.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 127.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of wood fuel exports was dominated by Rwanda, which accounted for 80.3% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Export values reached their peak in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exported wood fuel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 137 US dollars, down 75.0% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 725 US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for wood fuel exports in value terms were Rwanda (46.9% of exports), Italy (20.7%), and Uganda (13.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 81.6% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood fuel to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, m³

Wood fuel imports to the Democratic Republic of the Congo fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 20.8 cubic meters, reflecting a drop of 61.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 86%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 48.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for wood fuel imports in kind to the Democratic Republic of the Congo were Zambia (37.6% of imports), Lebanon (19.7%), and Germany (9.9%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 6.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, wood fuel deliveries to the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 6 334 US dollars, marking a sharp decrease of 48.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 41 693 US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 70.7% and the largest increase in 2018 at 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for wood fuel imports in value terms to the Democratic Republic of the Congo were Lebanon (22.1% of imports), South Africa (20.6%), and Zambia (15.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 58.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020