Bridging the Gap: linking timber trade with infrastructural ...

Charcoal shipments
Official data on charcoal shipped from the study area to Zanzibar were not available. However,
observations and reports from villagers showed that a substantial amount of charcoal was shipped to
Zanzibar illegally using dhows, especially from small ports in Kilwa District. The demand for charcoal in
Zanzibar is reported to be high in the face of declining natural forests on the island (Mwampamba, 2002).
In 1989, charcoal consumption in Zanzibar was estimated to be 7460 t per year, but by 1999 the
consumption had increased to 40 640 t per year. Sustainability of charcoal production in Zanzibar from
natural forests and trees in farmland (e.g. old mango trees) is reported to be low, driving increased
demand for charcoal from the mainland, most of which is delivered through informal channels.
Sources, trade routes and markets for charcoal
Charcoal production in the study areas was mainly taking place in Rufiji District, accounting for over
98% of the total charcoal produced and recorded by district authorities. The high level of charcoal
production in Rufiji District is heavily influenced by the high demand in Dar es Salaam, where 65% of
households use charcoal (Jambiya, 1999). Visual observations and GIS mapping showed that within
Rufiji District, the Rufiji River strongly demarcated where charcoal production and trade was taking
place. The majority of charcoal production is currently taking place on the northern side of river although
this is expected to change after completion of the bridge (Figure 45).
Figure 45
Location and relative size of charcoal retail outlets north of the Rufiji River, October 2001
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