Green Charcoal Namibia, a charcoal processing and export company operating in Arandis since 2021, is steadily positioning itself as a key contributor to local employment, value addition and sustainable production in the Erongo Region.
The company’s processing facility, officially inaugurated in September 2023, employs between 90 and 150 Namibians, with the higher figure recorded during the peak season, which typically lasts three to four months a year, depending on demand.
According to Green Charcoal Namibia CEO Jean-Daniel Goblet, the company sources its charcoal from various parts of northern Namibia, including areas as far as Kamanjab and Tsumeb.
Once delivered to the plant, the charcoal is carefully processed and categorised according to quality. “Processing means we sort the material into different products such as sand, fines, vines, standard charcoal and restaurant-grade pieces,” Goblet explained.
Fines, which are smaller charcoal particles, are recycled into briquettes by mixing them with starch, pressing them, and drying them naturally in the sun — a process well suited to Arandis’ climate. Higher-grade charcoal intended for barbecues and restaurants is packed locally into small paper bags, adding value before export.
All charcoal processed at the facility is FSC-certified, ensuring adherence to international quality standards as well as strict environmental and labour norms required by European and global markets.
At peak production, the plant processes between four and eight export containers per day, while low-season volumes range from one to two containers daily. Goblet noted that 2026 is shaping up to be a promising year for the company.
Looking ahead, Green Charcoal Namibia is finalising the purchase of three adjacent plots of land to support expansion plans, including the installation of solar panels to increase briquette production capacity and other factory operations.
Beyond production, the company invests in training its workforce, offering skills development ranging from technical training to first aid and forklift operation, contributing to the long-term employability of local workers.
