Briquette Fuel Development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Evidence from Nigeria's Domestic Energy Sector

Energy is crucial to the development of any nation and serves as a key indicator of a country’s economic strength. Briquettes, a renewable energy source derived from biomass, offer a promising alternative to traditional wood fuel. With good heating value and substantial heating time, briquettes are both eco-friendly and sustainable. They are primarily produced from agricultural residues, and are a viable heating energy option in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, an agriculturally rich nation. Nigeria generates a large volume of crop residues such as groundnut shells and straw, rice husks and straw, maize stalks, cobs and husks, as well as cassava peels and stalks. These materials present significant potential for briquette production. However, despite the abundance of these feedstock, briquette production and adoption remain limited in Nigeria. Efforts toward commercialization have largely failed. This underscores the need for an in-depth investigation into the underlying challenges hindering the development of briquette technology in the country. This study reviews the current status, challenges, implications, and strategic approaches necessary for the advancement of briquette technology in Nigeria, drawing comparisons with more successful models in other African countries such as Uganda and Kenya.