Market research

Wood fuel market in Eastern Africa, 2026

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wood fuel in Eastern Africa expanded gradually from 309.6 million m³ in 2018 to 322.9 million m³ in 2023. In value terms, the market saw significant volatility, with a sharp contraction to $44.0 billion in 2019 before recovering to $59.8 billion by 2023.

From 2021, rising investments in renewable energy across Africa, which grew from about $2.6 billion to roughly $15 billion by 2023, supported the biomass sector in Eastern Africa. Policy shifts in Kenya and other countries promoting renewable energy, including wood fuel for power generation, helped sustain the steady increase in consumption volume.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, M m³
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M m³
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M m³
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood fuel in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Eastern Africa's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 313.9 million cubic meters of wood fuel, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.9%	0.9%	0.5%	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of wood fuel in Eastern Africa was valued at 47 526 million US dollars, marking a moderate improvement of 8.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 2.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 44 004 million US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2018 at 56 397 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 22.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.8%	(22.0%)	8.0%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood fuel from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with an 8.7-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, wood fuel volumes leaving Eastern Africa totaled 46.2 thousand cubic meters, which is 41.7% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13.9 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 88.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 134.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(88.6%)	134.6%	41.7%	(27.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, exports of wood fuel from Eastern Africa were not concentrated on a few key markets. Japan accounted for 20.7% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 18.3%, and the United Arab Emirates for 8.2%, jointly representing only 47.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Peak exports occurred in 2017, with a trough in 2018, showing a 7.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, wood fuel deliveries from Eastern Africa registered 6 994 thousand US dollars, which is 52.3% higher year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 532 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 86.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 81.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(86.2%)	81.4%	52.3%	(27.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the principal destination for exports in value terms, accounting for 30.7%, followed by Kuwait at 14.4%, and Japan at 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 52.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood fuel to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood fuel to Eastern Africa stood at 8.9 thousand cubic meters, which is 28.1% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7.0 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.8%	(21.3%)	28.1%	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the principal destination for imports in kind, accounting for 47.0%, followed by China at 6.0%, and the United Arab Emirates at 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented 58.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, foreign wood fuel supplies to Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported approximately 2 143 thousand US dollars of wood fuel, equivalent to a measured drop of 9.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 376 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 22.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.0%	7.5%	(9.8%)	5.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2017 to 2020, South Africa headed the ranking of suppliers of wood fuel to Eastern Africa in value terms, accounting for 28.7%, followed by China at 16.7%, and the United Arab Emirates at 11.8%. Their combined share reached 57.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io