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L’économie politique de la filière du charbon de bois à Kinshasa et à Lubumbashi

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  • Trefon, Theodore
  • Hendriks,Thomas
  • Kabuyaya, Noël
  • Ngoy, Balthazar

Abstract

Charcoal use in urban Congo expanded significantly in the early 1990s. While recourse to charcoal (makala) as cooking fuel existed during the early independence period, most urban households had access to electricity for domestic use. Population, pressure, poorly maintained infrastructures and state crisis combined to force people to rely on makala for their daily cooking needs. Trade networks developed to make the link between makala producers and consumers. This can be considered as a popular response to state failure and is the subject of this working paper. Our research followed the trade network that includes charcoal producers, transporters, middlemen, wholesalers and retailers and a host of other peripheral supporting actors who claim to „live miraculously? from the network. The main conclusion of the research is that this informal trade network thrives, despite hassles from state agents, because it provides a vital service to Congo's urban poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Trefon, Theodore & Hendriks,Thomas & Kabuyaya, Noël & Ngoy, Balthazar, 2010. "L’économie politique de la filière du charbon de bois à Kinshasa et à Lubumbashi," IOB Working Papers 2010.03, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).
    • Handle: RePEc:iob:wpaper:2010003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schure, Jolien & Ingram, Verina & Arts, Bas & Levang, Patrice & Mvula-Mampasi, Emmanuel, 2015. "Institutions and access to woodfuel commerce in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 53-61.

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