Wood fuel market in Nigeria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Nigeria's wood fuel production grew steadily from 66 210 тыс. м³ to 67 987 тыс. м³, with market volume following a similar upward trend. This expansion was primarily driven by persistent high demand for wood as the dominant cooking fuel, especially among low-income households. Fuelwood harvesting and commercialization activities increased pressure on forest resources, reflecting the market's reliance on traditional biomass despite environmental concerns.

Government policies, such as the 2023 draft National Clean Cooking Policy, aimed to promote clean cooking alternatives but wood fuel remained prevalent, used by 62% of households. Support for biomass as a renewable energy source further encouraged production, while local governments' autonomy in collecting forest revenues from fuelwood harvesting influenced market dynamics without curbing overall growth.

By 2024, the wood fuel market was valued at $2.4 billion, underscoring its economic significance. Sustainability issues along the value chain, including forest depletion from urbanization and agricultural expansion, continued to challenge the market, yet consumption levels stayed high due to underdeveloped alternatives and entrenched user preferences.

Production wood fuel in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria held the 7th position globally in wood fuel production.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in Nigeria increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Nigeria produced 66 883 K m³ of wood fuel, which remained relatively stable compared to 2019.

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

Exports wood fuel from Nigeria

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2 626-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nigeria's cross-border shipments of wood fuel totaled 3 801 m³, representing a 67.9% decrease from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 28 417 m³, with the largest increase occurring that year at 262 490.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Nigeria's wood fuel exports in kind were Portugal (33.0% of exports), Lebanon (15.4%), and China (15.2%), collectively accounting for 63.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, marking a 1 052-fold shift. In 2020, Nigeria's wood fuel export volume reached 483 K $ US, a decline of 52.4% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 674 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 105 134.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 72.3%.

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

In 2017–2020, the principal buyers of wood fuel from Nigeria in value terms were China (26.9% of exports), Lebanon (16.2%), and Portugal (7.8%), jointly accounting for 50.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Nigeria

Imports in kind, m³

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import volumes exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.7 times from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, Nigeria imported a total of 408 m³ of wood fuel, down by 49.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 505 m³, with the largest increase that year at 91.9%.

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

Over 2017–2020, China consistently accounted for 80.1% of Nigeria's total wood fuel imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remainder was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated 6-fold between the low of 2019 and the high of 2018. In 2020, Nigeria's wood fuel imports amounted to 150 K $ US, marking an uptick of 54.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 97 K $ US, and the maximum in 2018 at 584 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 83.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 233.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China dominated the partner structure for Nigeria's wood fuel imports in value terms, with a share of 79.4% of total flows; other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

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