Africa has an official charcoal production of 30.6 million tons in 2012, worth approximately USD 9.2-24.5 billion annually at the point of sale (UNEP,2014). A tonne of charcoal range from 250 dollars to 450 dollars, depending on the types of wood, sizes and other specifications by the importer.  Africa is responsible for 40% of all European charcoal imports (ITF,2013) and 66% of Global charcoal imports is from Africa and Nigeria has been Europe’s biggest charcoal supplier, with Namibia, South Africa, Egypt, and Ivory Coast also exporting to Europe.

More than 10 years ago before the tremendous rise in charcoal trade, it is safe to assume the charcoal export industry had no major concerns with specifications not been met by suppliers. However, since the issue of deforestation surfaced, it has been noted and vivid that clients have more complain about their requirements not been met.

A considerable part of African forests have already been lost due to its charcoal export to Europe and the Middle East, thousands of acres is been lost annually to this booming trade even though the government have designed numerous policies to address the issue of deforestation.

this has led to various bans and rough events arising in the charcoal industry in africa for the past few years. Recently, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the verification of commercial forests of all charcoal exporters in Nigeria which was initially enforced  because there was no massive afforestation to sustain the business. However, the country is now going into serious afforestation where trees will not only be planted and left  to die, but will be nurtured and also plant tree crops.