Investigating Gender Inclusion and Sustainable Biomass Value Chain Development: Evidence from Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The global transition toward sustainable energy systems has underscored the critical 
role of gender inclusion in fostering equitable, resilient, and economically viable biomass 
value chains, particularly in developing economies where women play central roles in 
household energy management and biomass utilization. Despite their substantial 
contributions, women continue to encounter institutional, financial, and socio-cultural 
constraints that limit their participation in higher-value biomass enterprises and 
broader renewable energy development initiatives. This study investigated gender 
inclusion and sustainable biomass value chain development in selected Local Government 
Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State, Nigeria, with a focus on assessing women’s participation, 
access to financial services, institutional challenges, and socio-cultural barriers 
influencing biomass sector development. A mixed-methods research design was 
employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches through structured 
questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field 
observations involving 1,144 biomass stakeholders across Bauchi, Jama’are, Misau, and 
Tafawa Balewa LGAs. Descriptive and comparative analyses were used to evaluate 
gender disparities and participation patterns across the study locations. The findings 
revealed pronounced gender imbalances within the biomass value chain, with women 
constituting only 24.7% of stakeholders compared to 75.3% for men, although female 
participation reached 43.0% in Misau LGA. The results further indicated persistently 
low access to formal financial services among women, reflecting limited financial 
inclusion and constrained investment capacity within biomass-related enterprises. 
Institutional inadequacies, restricted access to productive resources, and entrenched 
socio-cultural norms emerged as significant barriers to women’s engagement and 
advancement within the sector. The study highlights the necessity for gender
responsive policies, targeted financial inclusion mechanisms, and institutional reforms 
to enhance women’s participation and strengthen the sustainability, productivity, and 
socio-economic impact of biomass value chains in Nigeria.