SOCIO-CULTURAL INDICATORS OF THE CARBONIZATION SECTOR IN WEST AFRICA: CASE OF BENIN

In Benin, charcoal/firewood occupies an important place in the energy balance (i.e. 62%), with negative impacts on the environment. The objective of this work is to take stock of the carbonization sector in Benin, based on the development of socio-cultural indicators. To meet this objective, an inventory of the sector was carried out through a survey carried out in nineteen (19) municipalities in the country. From the data collected, it appears that only 36% have received training on improved carbonization technology and only 26.17% of them manage to actually use it during their activity. With an integration rate for women of around 7.97%, this sector capitalizes on several years of experience: more than 56.28% of artisanal charcoal makers have a seniority rate of more than 10 years. This work provides an overview of the carbonization sector in Benin and allows us to see the weakness of this activity on an environmental, economic, cultural and social level. This work provides an overview of the carbonization sector in Benin and allows us to see the weakness of this activity. Thanks to this work, it is possible to have, as precisely as possible, the challenges faced by the different players in the sector as well as some of the solutions that we propose.