A questionnaire survey to estimate biofuel consumption rates in rural and urban households in Zimbabwe was conducted during the months of March and April 1995. The survey formed part of an integrated campaign aimed at establishing the extent to which domestic biofuel burning in Africa contributes to the atmospheric trace gas budget. Five study areas, four rural and one urban, were covered by the survey. The forms of biofuels used in rural areas were found to be wood, agricultural residues and cow dung, with wood being predominant. When available, agricultural residues were the second most popular form of fuel. Cow dung was only used in situations of severe fuel shortages. On average, rural consumption rates of wood, agricultural residues and cow dung for this time of the year were found to be 3.2, 1.5 and 0.2 kg/capita/day respectively. Wood and agricultural residues were the only biofuels used by urban households and were consumed at rates of 1.6 and > 0.1 kg/capita/day respectively. Across the study areas, consumption rates were a function of fuel availability. Inhabitants of areas with abundant fuel supplies consumed more fuel per capita than those of fuel-stressed areas. Within study areas, family size was the major factor influencing the per capita consumption rates. Smaller families consumed more fuel per capita than larger ones. In rural areas biofuel was mainly collected from the surrounding environment, whilst urban households obtained most of their supplies from the market. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.