Wood fuel market in Gambia

Earlier Report Observations

Gambia's wood fuel production rose steadily from 765.9 thousand cubic meters in 2018 to 809.8 thousand cubic meters in 2023, underpinned by the country's heavy reliance on biomass for domestic energy. Energy biomass met about 80% of national needs, with wood fuel dominating household cooking, sustaining demand even as the government launched campaigns to distribute affordable efficient cookstoves and curb deforestation.

Market volume fluctuated, dropping to 735.9 thousand cubic meters in 2019 when increased exports reduced domestic supply. That year, authorities promoted modern cooking equipment to encourage sustainable energy use, which may have tempered local consumption. In 2020, IMF financial support helped offset COVID-19 economic impacts, while updated industrial policy and investment legislation improved the business climate. By 2022, inflation reached 8% due to supply chain disruptions and higher commodity prices, likely making wood fuel a more attractive low-cost energy source and supporting market growth.

Throughout the period, oil exploration activities by companies like FAR and African Petroleum did not shift energy patterns, as no commercial discoveries were made. The Gambia Revenue Authority's introduction of an IT system for excise management enhanced tax collection, but wood fuel remained a staple due to entrenched consumption habits and limited affordable alternatives.

Production wood fuel in Gambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Gambia's wood fuel production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 783.0 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Gambia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports wood fuel from Gambia

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports dropped sharply from a high in 2019 to a low in 2020, with a 676-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gambia's wood fuel exports totaled 77 cubic meters, representing a dramatic decline of 99.9% from the year before.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Gambia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, China was nearly the sole buyer of wood fuel from Gambia, accounting for 99.4% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data points to irregular shifts, highlighting a volatile market environment. Export values fell from a peak in 2019 to a low in 2020, with a 479-fold variation. In 2020, Gambia's wood fuel export value reached 5 thousand US dollars, which is 99.8% lower than the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Gambia's wood fuel exports were heavily concentrated on China, which made up 99.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Gambia

Imports in kind, m³

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this time. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 10-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Gambia imported approximately 1 985 cubic meters of wood fuel, an 85.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 87.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Gambia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal was almost the exclusive supplier of wood fuel to Gambia, representing 92.8% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. Import values reached their highest level in 2019 and dropped to their lowest in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference. In 2020, Gambia's wood fuel import value amounted to 384 thousand US dollars, a 68.4% decline from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 216 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 68.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Senegal clearly dominated Gambia's wood fuel imports in value terms, holding 83.9% of the total. Other countries each accounted for significantly smaller shares.

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

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