Nigeria recorded firewood and biomass energy exports worth N65.85 billion in the first quarter of 2025, amid rising demand across West Africa and beyond, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed in its latest Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report.
The vast majority—N65.65 billion—went to other African nations, with ECOWAS countries alone accounting for N49.15 billion, over 74% of the total. Top destinations included Benin Republic (N29.83bn) and Togo (N19.32bn).
The NBS categorised the exported goods as “fuel woods in logs (e.g., hardwood), charcoal, and coniferous wood in chips or particles.” While these products are helping fill an energy gap in neighbouring countries, experts warn of environmental consequences back home.
“We are eroding the foundation of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide,” said Dr Moses Ama, Director of Forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment. “If we continue the wave of natural destruction, we jeopardise our resilience to climate change.”
Exports also reached Asia (N94.8m) and Europe (N102.21m), pushing Nigeria’s biomass energy trade into four continents. By contrast, imports of similar products stood at just N45.77 million, with only N1.03 million coming from Africa.
Back home, demand for charcoal and firewood is also climbing, driven by surging cooking gas prices and unreliable electricity supply. Vendors across states like Niger, Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna report record sales.
Mr. Nurudden Bello, a climatologist, urged the Federal Government to subsidise gas and kerosene to reduce reliance on biomass. “Making gas and kerosene affordable will reduce pressure on forests and encourage households to adopt safer and cleaner energy sources,” he said.
Nigeria’s leading exports to Africa still remain petroleum oils (N1.48tn), but experts say the booming biomass trade must be checked with sustainable forestry practices to prevent irreversible environmental degradation.
As stakeholders warn of a global biodiversity crisis, Dr Ama emphasized: “We are at a decisive turning point… our priorities must align to give our natural world a fighting chance.”
