Responding to local demand: A community-led bamboo charcoal enterprise development initiative in Kenya

Abstract

Bamboo is a perennial resource, and charcoal produced from it can be used as an alternative to wood charcoal for household clean energy under the Non-timber forest produce category (NTFP). Present study attempts to capture the processing of bamboo charcoal using the Public Private and People Partnership (P4) approach known as the NCPP (Non-profit + Community + Public Partnership) model enterprise in Busia, Kenya, with community participation. It exemplifies the business practices adopted by the locals in order to safeguard natural resources and boost people’s standard of living. The method has the potential to be implemented widely across African nations.