Fuelwood and fuelwood plantations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: case study in Northern Kivu province- Bibliographic review

Fuelwood is widely used in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), covering over 90% of the energy needs of households and certain economic sectors. This study reviews current knowledge on the wood-energy sector and fuelwood plantations in the DRC, with a focus on the province of Northern Kivu, seeking to identify any gaps in information that need to be filled. The review of studies shows that research on the sector is fragmentary. Fuelwood consumption data only exist for a few towns, with questionable estimates for some, including Butembo in Northern Kivu. Fuelwood is extracted from all accessible wooded areas, including natural forests, farmland and forest plantations. Some practices are illegal and occur in protected areas. Since the 1980s, around 69,400 ha of fuelwood plantations have been established in the DRC under 15 projects. However, these plantations are still too recent and too marginal to meet current or future demand. Total production from these and other plantations established outside the projects would cover around 9%, 30%, 32% and 54% of fuelwood consumption in Kinshasa, Bukavu, Goma and Butembo respectively. As yet, there are no scientific publications on fuelwood plantations in the DRC other than those concerning the Bateke Plateau and Northern Kivu. In order to manage the resource sustainably and secure supplies, action must be taken to: diversify sources of fuelwood supply, in particular through largescale forestry and agroforestry plantation programmes and management of natural forests; improve wood harvesting and charcoaling techniques; and reduce fuelwood consumption through improved stove design and the use of alternative energy sources. Sustainability also requires formalising and structuring a fuelwood sector operating in accordance with specific regulatory provisions that are yet to be enacted. Further research is also needed in order to improve fuelwood extraction and processing and optimise its use.