Wood fuel market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The Namibian wood fuel market volume grew steadily from 1.5 million cubic meters in 2018 to a peak of 2.1 million cubic meters in 2022, supported by rising domestic production which reached 2.4 million cubic meters. This upward trend reversed in 2023, with market volume contracting by 16% to 1.7 million cubic meters.

In 2024, state-driven initiatives to promote biomass energy from encroacher bush for power generation gained momentum, led by NamPower and the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The energy sector saw regulatory changes including the transition to the Namibia Energy Regulatory Authority and the fast-tracking of the Namibian Content Policy, while the electricity market opened to new entrants under the Modified Single Buyer model.

Production wood fuel in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Namibia's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 015 K m³ of wood fuel, marking a 9.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 35.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Namibia

Exports in kind, K m³

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a six-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Namibia's wood fuel export volume was recorded at 259.8 K m³, representing a 26.4% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was 43.2 K m³ in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 77.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 375.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of wood fuel from Namibia were South Africa, accounting for 42.1% of exports in kind, the Netherlands with 10.6%, and the United Kingdom with 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 63.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of wood fuel from Namibia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 42 377 K US dollars, showing a substantial improvement of 10.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 60.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.1%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, South Africa led as the top buyer of wood fuel from Namibia in value terms, with a 24.0% share of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 19.7%, and the Netherlands at 14.0%. Their combined share accounted for 57.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Namibia

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood fuel to Namibia reached 3.2 K m³, which is 27.4% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2.5 K m³, while the maximum was in 2018 at 4.4 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 68.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa clearly dominated as the main supplier of wood fuel to Namibia, accounting for 95.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Namibia's volume of wood fuel imports stood at 665 K US dollars, representing a steep rise of 38.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 31.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 481 K US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 17.2%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, wood fuel imports to Namibia were largely oriented towards South Africa, whose share in total imports in value terms reached 90.7%.

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

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