[en] A study of charcoal consumption, involving 240 households, was conducted in three different districts of the city of Bujumbura in Burundi. These districts were selected according the standard of living for residents and the level of property taxes received by district. The main objective of this study was to show the different aspects of charcoal consumption by households in the city of Bujumbura. Specific requirements to identify were: charcoal consumption patterns, the amount of daily cooking, an analysis of charcoal expenditures, the coefficient of charcoal consumption (kg per person per day), and the relationship between charcoal consumption and socio- economic and demographic parameters. The results indicate that households in Bujumbura fall into three categories according to charcoal consumption patterns: those households that only use charcoal (83%), those that combine charcoal and firewood (5 %) and those that combine charcoal and electricity (12%). These results show that charcoal is the main cooking fuel for households in Bujumbura. Average spending per person per day totalled 299 BIF. A person consumes 0.78 kg of charcoal per day. The following factors influence household expenditure on charcoal: household income, the charcoal price, the household size, the number of cooking sessions per day in the household and the preparation of time consuming foods (such as cassava leaves). Charcoal consumption can lead to deforestation in areas of supply. The dissemination of improved cooking stoves can help alleviate this situation.
