Opportunities, challenges and way forward for the charcoal briquette industry in Sub-Saharan Africa
Por:
Mwampamba T.H., Owen M., Pigaht M.
Publicada:
1 abr 2013
Resumen:
Charcoal briquettes are solid fuel made from carbonized biomass, or densified biomass that is subsequently carbonized. In spite of clear advantages of charcoal briquettes that include price, burn time, environmental sustainability and potential for product standardization, their uptake as a substitute for wood charcoal in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains very limited. By analyzing the experiences of pioneer charcoal briquette producers in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania, we identify factors limiting the growth of the industry in the region and make recommendations for how to address these challenges. Our analysis shows that widespread adoption of charcoal briquettes is unlikely to have a significant effect on demand for wood charcoal within SSA, as has been the case in many Asian countries. To date, the availability of charcoal briquettes has displaced only small volumes of charcoal demand and has increased the energy options for limited consumer groups within niche markets. Limiting factors for the industry include prevailing low prices of wood charcoal, punitive legal and fiscal requirements for briquette producers, and supply-driven (versus market-led) approaches to industry development. Policy, technical and marketing interventions are proposed to address these barriers and stimulate more widespread production and use of charcoal briquettes in the region. Our recommendations include marketing studies to better understand consumer preferences in fuel and stove attributes, better enforcement of existing forestry and charcoal regulations, reduced regulatory hurdles for registering new briquette businesses, targeted tax exemptions, and expansion of consumption to new industrial and other consumers. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Filiaciones:
Mwampamba T.H.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Ctr Invest Ecosistemas, Morelia 58190, Michoacan, Mexico
Owen M.:
Chardust Ltd., P.O. Box 24371, Karen 00502, Nairobi, Kenya
Pigaht M.:
MARGE Consulting, Franz-Henle Strasse 9, 65929 Frankfurt, Germany
|