This study was commissioned by Kenya Forest Service to provide information on the scale and economic value of the charcoal industry in Kenya, identify the driving forces behind charcoal production, understand the key players and the value chain, and provide a sound basis for policy development that reduces the negative impacts of the industry on the forest sector.

Findings from the study revealed that most trees used for charcoal production are sourced from rangelands under various forms of ownership including freehold, group ownership and trust lands. The production is mostly done using tradition inefficient technologies, while resource exploitation is unsustainable.

An economic analysis of the value chain concluded that producer and consumers are the least beneficiaries in the chain due to lack of structures and ineffective implementation of the laws and policies, among other factors.