(Exporting Worth, Importing Loss: Fixing Nigeria’s Damaged Charcoal Chain)
The current clarification by the Nationwide Charcoal Producers, Sellers, and Exporters Affiliation of Nigeria (NACPDEAN) confirms what many have misunderstood: charcoal exports are authorized, supplied exporters meet the regulatory necessities. But confusion persists amongst stakeholders and the general public. This displays a bigger nationwide drawback: insurance policies that exist on paper however are poorly communicated and weakly enforced. As an alternative of fuelling development, such ambiguity stifles alternative.
Distinction this with Namibia, a rustic with a fraction of Nigeria’s financial system. By adopting clear laws, clear licensing, and sturdy monitoring, Namibia has turned its charcoal sector right into a structured, worthwhile trade. Producers there can plan long-term, traders belief the system, and the federal government reaps regular income. Nigeria, in the meantime, continues to stumble by means of a haze of unclear guidelines and missed alternatives.
If there isn’t a export ban and laws supposedly exist, why then are we not seeing development in manufacturing, commerce confidence, or international change inflows from charcoal? The reply is straightforward: unclear communication and weak enforcement. Until this hole is bridged, Nigeria dangers forfeiting a worthwhile non-oil income stream on the very second diversification has develop into a nationwide survival technique. With readability, collaboration, and correct regulation, charcoal might generate jobs, enhance international change, and promote sustainable forest use.
Think about the small bakery proprietor in Lagos whose Instagram web page was out of the blue restricted. Gross sales collapsed, however she had no thought why. Weeks later, she found the trigger: a background music clip in a single video violated an unfamiliar rule. By the point she resolved it, she had misplaced 40 p.c of her income. That’s Nigeria’s forest financial system in miniature – crippled not by lack of demand, however by silent, unclear guidelines that price billions.
Sure, Nigeria recorded $1.586 billion in exports and processed 27,721 containers on the Lilypond Command within the first half of 2025. However specialists warn a lot of this “increase” is an phantasm, propped up by weak establishments, forex instability, and commerce distortions. Charcoal displays this damaged system. Whereas Namibia exported 270,000 tonnes value N$1.3 billion in 2023, at structured costs and with sustainability certification, Nigeria managed simply 443 tonnes valued at $119,470, with no customary pricing or oversight. Kenya, too, sells at $770 per tonne because of neighborhood forestry and certification, whereas Nigeria’s poorly managed commerce leaks worth and delivers minimal state income.
The UAE nonetheless welcomes Nigerian charcoal as one in every of its few pure exports…a uncommon diplomatic opening. However the place Namibia and Kenya ship clear, licensed shipments, Nigeria usually delivers unverified consignments, leaving international distributors to revenue at our expense.
NACPDEAN has been clear: since January 19, 2023, charcoal exports have been permitted. Exporters should receive a help letter from the Ministry of Atmosphere, safe Ministry of Finance approval, pay duties, and decide to afforestation. The foundations exist. The issue is poor communication, inconsistent enforcement, and loopholes that push commerce into casual and unregulated channels.
What Nigeria wants is a transitional framework that balances financial alternative with environmental accountability. A 3-pronged strategy is vital:
Clear and collaborative regulation was developed with stakeholders, environmental specialists, and neighborhood leaders.
Technological enforcement by means of digital permits, traceability programs, and neighborhood forest administration.
Export certification aligned with worldwide sustainability requirements, enabling Nigerian charcoal to entry premium markets.
With correct integration…clear HS codes, sustainable certification to fulfill EU requirements, export benchmarks tied to world costs, and coaching for girls and youth in environment friendly, low-emission manufacturing, Nigeria might unlock $2–3 billion from its forest financial system.
The lesson from Namibia and Kenya is easy: regulated provide earns increased costs and credibility. Nigeria already has the manufacturing scale; what it lacks is administration, enforcement, and imaginative and prescient.
The forest is paying. It’s time for Nigeria to gather. By investing in readability, traceability, and equity, we will remodel this smouldering potential right into a vibrant, sustainable supply of nationwide income.
Mr Ebenezer Akarah, CEO/Founding father of the Bricks to Crib Group of Firms, writes in from Abuja.
