Nigeria’s export of biomass energy products — including charcoal, firewood, and wood chips — reached ₦65.85 billion in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a rising demand for alternative energy sources across West Africa. This is according to the latest Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The vast majority of these exports — ₦65.65 billion — were sent to African countries, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) accounting for ₦49.15 billion, or more than 74 per cent of the total. The surge highlights growing regional reliance on wood-derived energy amid limited access to cleaner or more affordable alternatives.
Top Export Destinations and International Reach
Neighbouring Benin Republic emerged as the primary destination for Nigeria’s biomass exports, purchasing ₦29.83 billion worth of energy wood products between January and March 2025. Togo followed with imports valued at ₦19.32 billion.
Beyond the continent, Nigerian biomass products also found buyers in Asia (₦94.8 million) and Europe (₦102.21 million), suggesting a widening global appetite for wood-based fuels as countries diversify their energy sources.
Altogether, Nigeria’s biomass energy exports spanned four continents, positioning the country as a key regional supplier of renewable, albeit environmentally controversial, energy resources.
Domestic Use Rising Amid Cooking Gas Crisis
While Nigeria's biomass exports are booming, domestic consumption of firewood and charcoal is also on the rise. This trend is fueled by the high cost of cooking gas and persistent electricity supply challenges, forcing many households to revert to traditional energy sources.
Charcoal sellers across key states such as Lagos, Ogun, Niger, and Kaduna have reported record sales, as more Nigerians abandon cleaner but costlier options in favour of wood fuels.
Environmental Trade-Offs: Forests Under Pressure
Although biomass energy is often labelled renewable, experts warn that its environmental costs are mounting. The NBS report draws attention to rising deforestation rates, linked directly to the growing demand for exportable wood energy products.
The extraction of hardwoods and production of charcoal are accelerating the loss of Nigeria’s forest cover, raising alarms among environmental advocates.
Earlier this year, at a stakeholders’ workshop on the state of Nigeria’s forest reserves, Dr. Moses Ama, Director of Forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment, issued a stark warning. He urged immediate action to reverse environmental degradation, which he said threatens the country’s biodiversity, economic resilience, and long-term sustainability.
“We are eroding the foundation of our economies, livelihoods, food security, and quality of life. If this continues, our ability to withstand climate change and future pandemics will be compromised,” Ama stated.
Global Biodiversity Crisis Adds Urgency
The concern is not limited to Nigeria. Experts point to a global biodiversity crisis, with nearly one million species at risk of extinction. Human activity — including deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change — is accelerating the decline.
Globally, 75% of terrestrial environments and over 85% of wetlands are already degraded. Oceans are facing rising temperatures, increased acidity, and deoxygenation, all of which pose threats to marine ecosystems.
Policy Gaps and the Call for Cleaner Alternatives
Despite Nigeria’s growing status in the biomass export market, stakeholders argue that the trade is unsustainable without stronger regulation and reforestation policies.
Climatologist Nurudden Bello called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to reduce pressure on forests by making cleaner fuels more accessible.
“The high cost of gas and kerosene is pushing households toward unsustainable energy options,” Bello said. “Subsidising these cleaner fuels and promoting fuel-efficient stoves, especially among women in rural communities, can help reduce tree felling and environmental damage.”
Petroleum Still Dominates Nigeria’s Energy Exports
While biomass exports are gaining traction, petroleum products still dominate Nigeria’s trade profile. In Q1 2025, petroleum oils and related products accounted for ₦1.48 trillion, or over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s exports to Africa. Other major exports included light fuel oil (₦66.32 billion) and electrical energy (₦65.65 billion) — all of which made up over 84 per cent of the country’s ECOWAS exports.
As biomass energy continues to serve both domestic and international markets, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads — one where economic opportunity must be carefully balanced with ecological preservation. Without bold policy action, the short-term gains of biomass trade could yield long-term environmental losses.