Burnt Brick Making in Tanzania: Clay, Kilns, Costs and Profit

A burnt brick business in Tanzania can start small, with roughly TSh 2 to 8 million (about USD 800 to 3,100) for moulds, tools, permission to dig clay, fuel for firing and wages for the first batch. One fired brick typically costs about TSh 60 to 150 to produce, depending on fuel and labour, and sells for TSh 150 to 400 depending on the area and quality. One cycle of moulding, drying and firing a kiln of 10,000 to 30,000 bricks takes 3 to 6 weeks. Profit depends on good clay, thorough drying before firing, a kiln that burns evenly, and keeping losses from under-fired and over-fired bricks low.

Why fired bricks still sell

Burnt bricks are strong, keep rooms cool and look good without plaster. They are widely used in rural areas and small towns for houses, boundary walls, schools and churches, and some clients choose them for high-end buildings because of their natural colour. Each brick is cheap, but a house needs thousands, so sales add up fast. For a side-by-side comparison with cement blocks, read concrete blocks vs bricks in Tanzania.

How burnt bricks are made, step by step

1. Choose the clay. Good brick earth has enough clay to bind and some sand so it does not crack. A quick test: roll a wet sausage of soil; if it bends without snapping, the clay content is about right. Stones, roots and salty soil all lower quality.
2. Prepare it. Dig, remove stones and roots, add water and tread or mix until smooth. Many brickmakers leave the wet clay overnight so the water spreads evenly.
3. Mould. Press clay firmly into a timber or steel mould, strike off the top, and turn the brick out onto a sanded, level drying bed.
4. Dry. Leave bricks in shade or under grass cover for 1 to 3 weeks, turning them so they dry evenly. Damp bricks crack in the kiln.
5. Build the kiln. Stack dried bricks in a clamp or a built kiln, leaving fire channels at the base.
6. Fire. Burn for 3 to 7 days depending on kiln size, starting with a low fire to drive off remaining moisture, then raising the heat.
7. Cool and sort. Let the kiln cool for several days, then sort bricks into first grade, standard and rejects.

What does one brick cost to make?

Fire 20,000 bricks at TSh 110 each (TSh 2.2 million in total), sell 17,000 good bricks at TSh 250, and revenue is TSh 4.25 million, leaving about TSh 2 million profit for one cycle before transport. These are examples only; prices swing between regions and seasons.

Firewood, the environment and permits

Firing bricks with large amounts of firewood contributes to deforestation, and the harvesting and transport of forest produce is regulated. To keep the business legal and sustainable:

• Get permission to dig clay from the village government or council, and follow the rules on refilling pits.
• Buy firewood from legal, permitted sources, or use farm waste such as rice husks, coffee husks and crop residues where available.
• Use a better kiln. A walled kiln with a door to control the fire uses less fuel and fires more evenly than an open clamp.
• Plant trees on your land or partner with woodlot farmers.
• Refill clay pits or turn them into safe water ponds; open pits are dangerous to children and livestock.

Requirements differ by area; ask the village office, the council and the local forestry authority.

How to improve quality

• Mix the clay well; lumps and air pockets cause cracks.
• Use moulds of identical size so bricks match; masons prefer uniform bricks.
• Dry in shade, not harsh sun, to avoid cracking from fast drying.
• Stack the kiln with even spacing so heat spreads through it.
• Do not open the kiln early; slow cooling prevents cracks.

A good brick rings clearly when tapped against another, has no cracks and has an even colour.

Customers and pricing

The main buyers are families building in rural areas and small towns, fundis, contractors building schools and dispensaries, and people building boundary walls. Price depends on quality, brick size and delivery distance. Give a yard price and a delivered price. Regular customers want to know they will get the same quality every time.

Mistakes to avoid

• Firing bricks that are not fully dry.
• Selling soft, under-fired bricks as first grade; they will ruin your name.
• Digging clay without permission or leaving pits open.
• Burning too much wood in an inefficient kiln.
• Having nowhere covered to store bricks in the rainy season.

Frequently asked questions

How many burnt bricks does a three-bedroom house need?

With standard bricks of about 230 x 110 x 75 mm, a square metre of wall takes 50 to 60 bricks. A three-bedroom house can need 15,000 to 30,000 or more, depending on its size.

How many bricks fit in one kiln?

It depends on size. Traditional clamps commonly hold 10,000 to 50,000 bricks per firing.

When is the best season for brickmaking?

The dry season, when bricks dry quickly and rain does not put out the kiln. In the rains, store finished bricks under cover.

Are burnt bricks better than cement blocks?

Each has strengths. Burnt bricks are durable and keep rooms cool; cement blocks build faster. Read our comparison.

Building with burnt bricks?

Vika Construction builds with burnt bricks and cement blocks across Tanzania. Contact us. Kwa Kiswahili, soma biashara ya tofali za kuchoma.