Wood fuel market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

Sierra Leone's wood fuel market volume grew consistently from 5.9 million m³ in 2018 to 6.2 million m³ in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by rising prices for petroleum-based fuels, notably a 20% increase to Le12,000 per liter in March 2022 due to international oil market pressures, which made wood fuel a more economical energy alternative for households and businesses. Concurrent strong economic growth, reaching 5.7% in 2023 and driven by sectors like mining, boosted overall energy demand, further supporting consumption of traditional wood fuel.

Concurrent energy sector developments, including the completion of the CLSG regional power interconnection and government efforts to attract world-class companies into renewable energy, aimed to diversify the energy mix. However, limited electricity access in many areas meant wood fuel remained a vital source. The country's qualification for a major African electrification initiative in 2023 highlighted long-term transition goals, but in the near term, these measures did not significantly displace the established demand for wood-based energy.

State regulation of the energy landscape, through the Petroleum Regulatory Agency's transparent fuel pricing formula and substantial financial support to oil marketing companies in 2022 to stabilize imports, shaped the competitive environment for all energy sources. This framework, alongside the unbundling of the power sector to encourage private investment, created a context where wood fuel maintained its market position through consistent, cost-driven demand.

Production wood fuel in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Sierra Leone's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6,025 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a slight year-on-year increase of 0.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Wood fuel export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 26-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports from Sierra Leone totaled 36.9 cubic meters, representing an 81.1% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 194.8 cubic meters, with the largest increase occurring that year at 2,537.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of wood fuel from Sierra Leone were Austria, accounting for 45.0% of exports in kind, India with 33.8%, and Germany at 15.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 94.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values were lowest in 2018 and highest in 2019, with a 14.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, wood fuel deliveries from Sierra Leone were valued at 4,296 US dollars, reflecting a sharp drop of 89.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 39,276 US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 1,310.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India was the leading market for wood fuel exports in value terms, representing 47.7% of the total, followed by Austria at 20.6% and Gambia at 16.4%. These three countries together accounted for 84.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, m³

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 42-fold swing between these years. In 2020, wood fuel imports into Sierra Leone totaled 39.4 cubic meters, corresponding to a dramatic rise of 4,063.6% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 cubic meters, with the largest decline occurring that year at 89.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Liberia and Lebanon were the primary sources for wood fuel imports in kind, jointly accounting for 84.1% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Sierra Leone's wood fuel imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 32,144 US dollars, up by 1,396.1% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5,134.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 274.1%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Liberia and Lebanon together taking 81.8% of total flows, while other partners made up the residual portion.

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

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