The importance of the charcoal sub-sector to the national economy and community livelihoods in Tanzania and beyond cannot be overemphasized. Charcoal is the largest source of household energy in urban areas for cooking and heating in Tanzania.

In 2014 it was estimated that charcoal generated at least 1 billion US$ per annum in revenues. In 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) estimated the contribution of charcoal to forest sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be 44.2%, standing out as one of the most important forest products contributing to the national economy.