Nigeria charcoal dilemma: deforestation, carbon emissions, and the case for briquettes from agricultural waste

Nigeria is the largest charcoal producer in Africa, but the industry is driving rapid deforestation and carbon emissions. The article explains how traditional earthen kilns are inefficient, requiring large volumes of wood to produce small amounts of charcoal, and releasing carbon monoxide. Nigeria's forest cover is estimated at 10-12% of landmass and could be lost by 2052 at current deforestation rates of 3.5% per year. The global charcoal market is projected to grow from $7.12 billion in 2026 to $11.18 billion by 2034, but Nigeria's trade remains poorly regulated and largely informal. The author calls for a strict regulatory framework, cleaner production methods, aggressive afforestation, and a shift to briquettes made from agricultural waste like shea-nut shells, rice husks, and coconut shells. These alternatives offer a sustainable energy source with fewer health and environmental impacts.