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Congo's Goma City Accelerates Biogas Shift Amid Charcoal Price Surge and Conflict
Goma's Shift Towards Biogas
Residents in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are increasingly switching to biogas. This shift is driven by soaring charcoal prices and ongoing conflict, specifically the capture of the city by the M23 armed group. As a city of nearly 1 million people, Goma's households largely depend on charcoal for cooking and heating, as electricity remains too expensive for many families. A 6-kilogram cylinder of biogas, costing around $8, can last approximately two weeks for a family of up to five people.
Expanding Organic Waste-Based Fuel Production
Charcoal prices have surged dramatically since the Rwandan-backed M23 imposed a logging ban in a nearby national park and seized Goma last year. The group stated that the charcoal trade was funding militias loyal to the Congolese government. This price increase has made biogas a more affordable option for some households. Biogas in Goma is produced from decomposing organic waste, including animal droppings collected from local farms. Environmental experts believe that wider use of biogas could also help reduce air pollution and dependence on firewood, easing pressure on forests.
A local company, which began producing biogas in 2016, currently distributes around 720 kilograms of the fuel every month. Workers at the facility collect waste from chicken farms before processing it in underground cement digesters, where methane gas is produced and later bottled for domestic use. Victor Materanya, Director of Umoja Sarl, noted that they are trialing this bottled gas with more than 20 customers to overcome barriers to accessing clean energy for urban dwellers who lack space or resources for biodigesters.
*Source: YouTube: WION (2026-05-07)*
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