At a stakeholders consultative meeting with government agencies the National Association of Charcoal Producers, Dealers, Exporters and Afforestation of Nigeria (NACPDEAN) and stakeholders stated that sustenance of the sub-sector requires consistent afforestation and reforestation. This assertion was made because the stakeholders agree that the contribution of the sub-sector to the diversification drive of the economy should be increased, ranging from oil to non-oil exports. The event was themed “Sustainable Afforestation and Reforestation for Nigeria’s Posterity.”
The event, according to the National President of NACPDEAN, Mr. Babatunde Edu, was set up to help the sub-sector retain its position as one of the drivers of the country’s economy. Another reason for organization of the event was for facilitation of aggressive planting of trees and production of domestic and industrial charcoal through converted wastes. Discussions at the meeting is projected to introduce the country to local and foreign investors in afforestation and reforestation fields.
Nigeria is the largest country in Africa for production.
Asides attraction of investors, deliberations at the meeting aims at boosting entrepreneurial development and self reliance. The global market was estimated in 2021 as $6.05 billion; in 2020, $5.98 billion; while the market size is valued to a 2028 estimation of $8.09 billion. Currently, Nigeria fills the position of the largest producer of charcoal in Africa and second largest producer in the world. In 2020, Brazil, Nigeria and Ethiopia shared 29 percent of the global production with each country producing 6.3 million tonnes, 4.8 million tonnes and 4.7 million tonnes respectively.
According to the World Bank, in 2020, the global review of economic indicator showed that Indonesia, China, Poland, Nigeria and Ukraine were regarded as the largest exporters of charcoal across the world with respective export earnings of $289 million, $153 million, $90.8 million, $75.7 million and $74.7 million each. Sustainability of this rank by establishing more private forest estates and intentional afforestation programmes would contribute to improvement of the country’s economic growth. The association’s commitment to tree planting is because this act is considered as keys to forestry and charcoal business.
NACPDEAN to ensure strict measures against illegal logging.
In the United States of America and China, development and promotion of wood charcoal sub-sector is encouraged for its benefits in medicine and cosmetics industries and household. NACPDEAN is focused on fully embarking on Agri-silviculture — integration of trees and crops, creating industrial alternative forms made from shafts and waste for economic growth and development, and establishing more private indigenous. Steps are also being taken to regulate the sub-sector and eliminate illegitimate production and trade of charcoal.
Additionally, the meeting included an engagement of stakeholders on the need for the National Association’s Compliance Requirement for every stakeholder on the value chain to enable replacement of trees that were cut for exportation through aggressive afforestation and reforestation projects. The Minister of Environment, Mr. Muhammed Abdullahi, commended the timeliness of the event after the lift of the ban on exportation of charcoal, processed wood and others. He added that there have been cases of illegal logging and exportation through illegal routes; however, there are regulations that now address these issues.
NACPDEAN has support of Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment.
Represented by Dr. Peter Bagudu, a Deputy Director, the Minister said that some of the strict measures include Review of Guidelines on Exportation of Processed Wood, Charcoal, and other Allied Products; Nigeria Timber Legality Standards; Constitution of the Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Force on illegal forest activities. Assistant Director of Commodities and Export Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Jude Amalunweze, assured NACPDEAN of the ministry’s support to ensure an enabling environment for the sub-sector.
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Nigeria, Africa’s largest charcoal producer – Afforestation & reforestation are key to sustain this resource sub-sector. – Express your point of view.
Charcoal is an important substance used in medicine, cosmetics and household. It servers as an important absorbent and purifier. To Nigeria , it is of economic value since it generate revenue for the country. , More so that Nigeria is the Africa’s largest producer of Charcoal. Therefore afforestation and reforestation are key to the sustenance of this resource sub-sector.
This is good afforestation and reforestation should be promoted in all forms and extended to the public as a duty.
It is a significant accomplishment for us that Nigeria produces the most charcoal in Africa. Afforestation and reforestation are therefore essential to the continuation of this resource subsector.
It is important to replace trees that were cut for exportation through afforestation. They will be keys to charcoal business.
Since Nigeria has been position as the largest producer of Charcoal in the world,for sustainable every resource required should be made available the sub-sector, hence Afforestation and reforestation becomes key in this regards.
This is a nice we are the Africa’s largest charcoal producer Afforestation & reforestation are key to subsector as we are making use of the tress to produce charcoal should be replace so it can be reuse that how then will be progress in the production
We should be doing all necessary thing to still remain Africa’s largest charcoal producer we are not to slack and and manage thing right to maintain good production of charcoal
It is excellent that the union has made tree planting a priority because doing so is seen as one of the keys to success in the forestry and charcoal industries.
Afforestation and reforestation must be maintained on a regular basis to ensure the growth of the charcoal industry and that is great.
The government ought to take measures to regulate the subsector and put an end to the manufacturing and trade of charcoal that is conducted without proper authorization.
This means we are really doing well in the charcoal industry. We should continue to produce more and export them. It can serve as an alternative to crude oil.
We should all be aware that strong afforestation and regeneration programs are necessary to replant trees that were removed for exportation.
The level of deforestation has really have bad effect on the life of people and this has really cause alot of damages to the environment.The charcoal business is a big business in which if invested it will really boost the economy.
The high level of deforestation in Nigeria is one of the things killing the production of charcoal in this country and this ought to be a source of revenue
In order to prevent illegal charcoal production and commerce, the government should take action to regulate the sector.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest charcoal producer. With all this position in Africa what has Nigeria achieve with being the highest producer of charcoal. Our government is corrupt government. Not only corrupt but also greedy and selfish
This represents a significant accomplishment. And we go out of our way to maintain this status. To ensure the expansion of the charcoal sector, afforestation and replanting must be regularly maintained.
Afforestation and reforestation are crucial in this context because Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of charcoal and needs all the resources it can get to keep that title.
The union’s focus on tree planting is commendable because it is widely recognized as an important factor in the continued development of the forestry and charcoal industries.
The unlicensed production and distribution of charcoal must cease, and the government must act to that end.