The strong contribution to woodfuel consumption by tropical and subtropical countries is not surprising since they account for a majority of the two billion people worldwide who are dependent primarily on firewood for cooking and heating (Mathews et al. 2000). The correlations of population growth, wood fuel demand and deforestation are well known (Allen and Barnes 1985; Barnes 1990). As an example for this process the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in sub-Sahara Africa should be given, where the dependency on biofuel and charcoal is bigger than in most other regions of the world (Hall et al. 1994). Figure 1.1 illustrates the correlation between population growth and deforestation in the SADC countries. SADC has one of the fastest growing populations in the world and as such faces the challenge of increasing food and fuelwood demands (Barnes 1990; Hall et al. 1994). This has inevitably resulted in large forested areas being cleared or sequentially degraded. Non-sustainable fuelwood use is the second biggest cause of deforestation in that region (FANR 2011). The relatively limited access and high cost of electricity and fossil fuels in rural areas, where over 70 % of the population reside, and in urban areas worsens the situation (FANR 2011).

Due to a lack of methodological knowledge and financial means, biomass conversion to energy in the tropics comprises mainly of low-tech fuelwood use and charcoal production. With industrial growth in many tropical countries, there is a growing movement from traditional firewood use to coal and other fossil based energy sources. This change is furthered by the fact that the natural ecosystems are often not capable of sustaining the supply of fuelwood for the growing population, and thus demand. These challenges and trends are similar to those previously experienced in developed countries during the industrialisation process two centuries ago.