Charcoal production in Zambia
Charcoal dominates the household energy sector in the urban Zambia, with over 75 percent of peri-urban and urban households using charcoal as a primary source of energy.
Charcoal trading is legal in Zambia, but the government requires wholesalers to obtain a permit from the forestry department.
Studies have identified charcoal production as one of the main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia. The traditional methods of making charcoal lead to high carbon emissions and are a waste of wood resources.
Due to high youth unemployment and high electricity tarrifs, the future of charcoal business looks more brighter than ever in Zambia.