Market research

Wood fuel market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

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

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded consistently in physical volume from 2018 to 2023, with the market size growing from 642.9 million m³ to 678.6 million m³. This period saw a steady annual increase, indicating resilient demand for this traditional energy source across the region.

In value terms, the market rose from 55 808 million US dollars in 2018 to 78 546 million US dollars in 2023. This overall growth was interrupted by a notable decline in 2021, when the market value fell to 61 717 million US dollars before recovering strongly in the subsequent years.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan 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, K m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, K m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, K m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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, K m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 Sub-Saharan 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

Wood fuel production in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 659.2 million cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a slight 1.0% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	0.9%	1.0%	1.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wood fuel production in Sub-Saharan Africa has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 66 405 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 1.8% uptick from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 22%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	16.3%	1.8%	6.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood fuel from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 493 thousand cubic meters, representing a 17.4% year-over-year reduction. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 47.5%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 19.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.9%)	(23.5%)	(17.4%)	(19.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, China, and India were the primary destinations for wood fuel exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of volume. Japan accounted for 51.7% of exports, China for 7.2%, and India for 5.4%, with these three countries together making up 64.3% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign wood fuel supplies from Sub-Saharan Africa have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 251.2 million US dollars, showing a 16.8% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 37.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.2%)	(11.8%)	(16.8%)	(14.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, China, and the United Kingdom remained the main buyers of wood fuel from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Japan accounted for 48.4% of exports, China for 7.3%, and the United Kingdom for 5.4%, with these three countries jointly representing 61.1% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood fuel to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel imports into Sub-Saharan Africa showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 131 thousand cubic meters, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 612 thousand cubic meters, representing a 4.7-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 253 thousand cubic meters, down by 58.7% from the previous year. The largest decline was 70.7% in 2018, and the largest increase was 368.8% in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(70.7%)	368.8%	(58.7%)	(17.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Special Categories were notable suppliers of wood fuel to Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of volume, together accounting for 5.4% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, wood fuel imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 57.1 million US dollars, a sharp 29.5% decrease from the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 81.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 21.2% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.2%	19.3%	(29.5%)	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was highly fragmented. China accounted for 5.1% of imports, the United Kingdom for 3.5%, and Special Categories for 1.4%, with these three together making up just 9.9% of total flows, and no single partner emerged as clearly dominant.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io