An entrepreneur, Mr. Ebenezer Akarah, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the charcoal industry as part of its forest economy agenda, stressing that the sector holds a global market potential of $2 billion capable of powering economic growth and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Akarah, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Bricks to Crib Company, said charcoal is powering other economies, yet Nigeria continues to sideline it in national policy.
He explained that while government initiatives such as the 2025 Forest Economy Summit were commendable, restricting charcoal exports contradicts the vision of harnessing forest resources for economic transformation.
“While advocating a sustainable forest economy, the government should avoid restricting charcoal exports, a forest product with huge export potential. Doing so is like finding treasure but blocking the path to it,” Akarah said.
He argued that charcoal should be classified as a formal commodity, regulated, and integrated into Nigeria’s export framework to attract investment, create jobs, and generate foreign exchange.
Akarah noted that the Federal Government lifted the charcoal export ban in mid-2023 but only conditionally, requiring approvals from the Ministry of Finance and verification by forest officers at ports.
He warned that Nigeria risks another outright ban if it fails to meet the European Union’s December 2025 deadline for non-deforestation sourcing standards.
“Charcoal is a biofuel, an export asset, and a source of livelihood for rural communities. Ignoring it means losing not only trees but also communities, culture, and economic opportunity,” he said.
Citing comparative data, Akarah disclosed that Namibia, with a population of only three million and a semi-arid landscape, exported 270,000 tonnes of charcoal valued at $80.5 million in 2023, while Nigeria, with richer forests and a far larger population, exported only 443 tonnes valued at $119,470 in the same year.
He said the imbalance highlights Nigeria’s underutilisation of its forest resources despite global demand for sustainable biomass and renewable energy.
According to him, the pathway forward should focus on smart regulation, afforestation, reforestation, and responsible forest management that recognises charcoal as an asset rather than a threat.
“Nigeria has the potential to lead, but only if we build a smarter and sustainable policy,” he stated.
Industry observers believe that developing the charcoal industry under a sustainable framework will strengthen Nigeria’s forest economy, diversify exports, and support rural livelihoods in line with the government’s long-term economic diversification goals.