Niël Terblanché
By adopting sustainable methods, Uganda hopes to learn from Namibia to balance the demand for charcoal with the imperative of environmental conservation, ensuring that the sector contributes to the country’s economic development without compromising its natural resources.
In a bid to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional charcoal production, the Ugandan government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has initiated the “Forest Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain in Uganda” project.
As part of this endeavour, FAO Uganda and FAO Namibia have organised a five-day study visit to Namibia.
According to The Independent Uganda, this four-year initiative, spanning from 2021 to 2025, aims to mitigate the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with charcoal production by promoting sustainable practices, including the establishment of energy woodlots, adoption of more efficient charcoal production kilns, and rehabilitation of degraded natural forests on private land.
The purpose of this visit is to examine Namibia’s advanced biomass and charcoal industry, providing Ugandan officials with the opportunity to engage with producers, industry regulators, and other key stakeholders.
This exchange is expected to offer valuable insights into sustainable practices that could be adapted to the Ugandan context.
The Charcoal Association of Namibia (CAoN) stated that Namibia’s charcoal industry has experienced significant growth in recent years.
In 2022, the country was the seventh-largest exporter of charcoal globally, with total export volumes exceeding 280 000 tonnes and revenues of US$75 million.
This sector has also been a substantial source of employment, creating approximately 14,500 jobs across the country, primarily in rural areas.
The industry’s success can be attributed to several factors.
The Namibian charcoal association, established in 2016, has played a pivotal role in formalising and strengthening the sector.
CAoN has ensured that charcoal production contributes positively to environmental conservation efforts by supporting the sustainable management of encroachment bush.
Furthermore, Namibia’s approach to charcoal production has been closely aligned with environmental sustainability.
The utilisation of encroacher bush for charcoal production has rendered the value chain free from deforestation, earning Namibian charcoal the reputation of being among the “greenest” in international comparisons.
The introduction of a national Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard in April 2020, tailored to Namibia’s specific context, has further reinforced sustainable practices within the industry.
Uganda’s reliance on charcoal as a primary cooking fuel has led to significant environmental degradation due to unsustainable production methods.
The “Forest Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain in Uganda” project seeks to address these challenges by promoting sustainable charcoal production practices, such as establishing woodlots and using more efficient charcoal production kilns, while simultaneously advocating for cleaner energy alternatives.
The study visit to Namibia is anticipated to provide Ugandan officials with practical insights into effective industry regulation, sustainable production techniques, and the benefits of formalising the sector.
By learning from Namibia’s experiences, Uganda aims to implement strategies that will reduce environmental degradation and enhance economic opportunities within the charcoal value chain.
The mission to Namibia will be led by Uganda’s Chief Justice, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo.
In addition to the focus on the charcoal industry, the visit will include a courtesy meeting between the Ugandan judge, and Namibia’s Chief Justice, Justice Peter Shivute.
According to a statement by the Namibian Judiciary, this engagement is a demonstration of the multifaceted nature of the bilateral relations between the two countries, extending beyond environmental initiatives to encompass judicial and governance exchanges.
