In Burundi, 96% of the energy consumption comes from biomass, a situation which puts at risk the forestry of the country. “The over-use of biomass could lead in the short term to a catastrophic deforestation following the intensive, expansive and uncontrolled clearing of the forests and the generalised and systematic destruction of nature reserves” Siméon Habonimana, minister of Energy and Mines, warned.

Mainly in the form of firewood and charcoal, the biomass is massively used for cooking, heating, lighting source in households and even community infrastructure such as hospitals and prisons.

The government is therefore looking for alternatives such as biofuels, briquettes made from household waste, biogas or improved hearths. It has also undertaken the construction of hydroelectric dams in order to increase the energy production capacity of the country. In Burundi, only 1% of the rural population.