In Pictures: Charcoal in Chad, BBC News UK, Richard Stanley February 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/06/africa_charcoal...

Charcoal is the most popular type of fuel in Chad, and is seen as more modern than dry firewood.
It burns for longer than wood, so it is cheaper to use, and it produces less smoke. It is especially popular in big towns.
Unfortunately, charcoal is less efficient, so more trees must be cut down.