Burundi has a deficit of 754,960 ha to meet its wood needs, i.e. 28% of the national territory. A situation that is tending to worsen since Burundi depends on more than 90% of firewood for cooking food. To overcome this challenge, the use of alternative energy is of great necessity. Unfortunately, this sector still has major shortcomings in Burundi

In Burundi, to meet wood needs, 1,031,000 ha are needed, or 38.18% of the national territory, while only 276,040 ha or 10% of the national territory are available. This represents a difference of 754,960 (28% of the national territory). “Even if funds are available, the country cannot allocate 40% of its territory to forests and even then the problem would not be solved”, worries Dr. Jacques Nkengurutse, professor at the University of Burundi. To meet this challenge, the use of alternative energy is of great necessity.