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.