The study presented in this article focuses on firewood and charcoal in Cameroon. The study analyses subnational secondary data combined in some cases with additional collected data on firewood and charcoal consumption as well as their market prices. The findings estimate a total consumption of 2.2 million metric tons for firewood and 356,530 metric tons for charcoal in urban areas of Cameroon. Firewood and charcoal contribute to the GDP for an estimated amount of US$ 304 million representing 1.3% of the GDP of Cameroon. In addition, the sub-sector provides about 90,000 equivalent full time jobs while 80% of the people in Cameroon depend entirely on wood-energy for household energy supply. Unfortunately, there is no government policy to develop the wood-energy sub-sector.

Authors: Eba'a Atyi, R.; Ngouhouo Poufoun, J.; Mvondo Awono, J-P.; Ngoungoure Manjeli, A.; Sufo-Kankeu, R.

Subjects: firewood, charcoal, consumption, national income

Publication type: ISI, Journal Article, Publication

Year: 2016

ISSN: 1465-5489

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1505/146554816819683735