Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://localhost:80/jspui/handle/123456789/1158
Title: Charcoal Trade in Niger—Product Flows and Business Models
Authors: Wekesa, Chemuku
Mutta, Doris
Roos, Anders
Larwanou, Mahamane
Keywords: business strategy
business models
bioenergy
charcoal import;
informal economy charcoal trade
Niger
Issue Date: Sep-2023
Citation: Larwanou, M., Mutta, D., Wekesa, C., Roos, A.(2023). Charcoal Trade in Niger-Product Flows and Business Models. Forests , 14(1910). https://doi.org/10.3390/ f14091910
Abstract: Charcoal is used in Africa for household energy, and the sector involves different actors with specific business strategies. Based on theories on sustainable business models and livelihoods, charcoal traders in five cities in Niger were surveyed about supply chains and strategies. Most charcoal is imported from Nigeria, and smaller quantities come from Benin and Burkina Faso or domestically. Men dominate the trade. Customers value charcoal quality, tree species, packaging, and low prices. Three groups of traders and their business models were identified: small-scale retailers, large-scale retailers, and wholesalers. The charcoal trade is typically combined with trade in other products and is frequently conducted with family members or friends; laborers are employed for loading and unloading. The charcoal business provides a complementary income for the traders’ livelihoods. Most respondents believed that trade would increase in the future; wholesalers expected promising future business opportunities. This study concludes that improvements should focus on quality, better marketing skills, and more sustainable charcoal sourcing. Charcoal use in the Sahel region of Africa should also be studied further to enable the development of effective policies in the West African bioenergy sector. The cross-border charcoal trade creates a need for coordinated policies for a sustainable charcoal sector in the Sahel region.
Description: The original publication is ublished by MDPI and is available on the Journal of Forests , doi https://doi.org/10.3390/ open access publication is supported by the authors' institutes or research funding agencies by payment of a comparatively low Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted articles. Permissions
URI: http://197.248.75.118:8282/jspui/handle/123456789/1158
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