Freddie Siangulube, Acting Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, emphasized that the review was a critical step in translating the recently launched National Forestry Policy into practical and enforceable action. He made the remarks during the official opening of a two-day technical engagement workshop for all Provincial Forest Officers (PFOs) and key stakeholders in Lusaka on Monday, held at Mika Hotel in Kabulonga. The workshop is being conducted in collaboration with cooperating partners, including the Czech Development Agency (CzechAid), the EU–Zambia Forest Partnership, and experts from the Czech University of Life Sciences.
It brings together senior officials from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the Ministry of Energy, planning and policy departments, and provincial forestry leadership. Siangulube noted that the charcoal sub-sector remained central to Zambia’s energy system and to the livelihoods of many rural communities. “Our task is not merely to regulate, but to transform charcoal production into a sustainable, well-managed, and accountable sector,” he stated.
He explained that the review built on an earlier workshop held in October 2025, which produced a roadmap leading to the first draft. The current session focuses on refining the zero draft of both the strategy and its accompanying regulations. Siangulube added that while the government continued to explore alternative energy sources, charcoal remained a major component of Zambia’s energy mix.
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“The strategy therefore seeks to regulate its production sustainably rather than ignore its ongoing role. As a core part of the plan, the Forestry Department has identified 13 charcoal hotspot districts nationwide,” he stated. He said the structured approach was also designed to enhance job creation and community participation through Community Forest Management Groups.
The designated areas will be formally zoned to allow improved monitoring of production volumes, producers, and supply chains. “We want to know how much charcoal is produced, where it is coming from, who is producing it, and how local communities can benefit as custodians of the forests,” Siangulube said. He urged participants to make meaningful contributions, noting that the outcomes would shape the management of Zambia’s charcoal sector for years to come.
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