Gabon

Gabon redesigns timber industry tax system to promote local processing

On November 26, Gabon's Transitional Senate passed the 2026 Finance Bill (PLF), marking a significant shift for the country's timber industry.

The bill establishes new differentiated export tax rates based on the level of processing: 15% for primary processed products (sawnwood, beams, etc.); 10% for secondary processed products (laminated wood, semi-finished furniture); and only 3.5% for tertiary processed products (finished furniture, flooring, structural timber). The greater a company's investment in advanced processing within Gabon, the more favorable its export tax rate. The bill also specifies that the market value used for customs calculations will be determined by a joint decree from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Forestry to ensure transparency and fairness in export declarations.

Despite the bill's passage, senators recommended that the government lower export duties on forest products: reducing the primary processing rate from 15% to 10%, the secondary processing rate from 10% to 6%, while keeping the tertiary processing rate at 3.5%.

France to invest 11 billion CFA francs in Gabonese forest conservation

During a state visit to Gabon on November 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announced an investment of 17 million euros (over 11 billion CFA francs) through the French Development Agency (AFD) for forest conservation in Gabon.

To secure funding for the national platform, the French President stated that experts would finalize the strategy in the coming months, focusing on integrated carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and payment for ecosystem services mechanisms.

France and EU commit $234 million for modernization and safety upgrades of Trans-Gabon Railway

The Trans-Gabon Railway, Gabon's sole main railway line, transports over 300,000 passengers and millions of tons of freight annually. As Gabon's economy partly relies on mining, timber, and agribusiness, modernizing the railway has become key to enhancing the country's competitiveness.

On November 24, 2025, Gabon, France, and the European Union signed an agreement for the Railway Modernization and Safety Program (PMS). The total investment for the program is 203 million euros (approximately $234 million), with 173 million euros coming from a sovereign loan by the French Development Agency (AFD) and 30 million euros from an EU grant.

The program's main objectives are to improve the reliability and safety of the 648-kilometer railway linking Libreville and Franceville. These investments will significantly enhance unstable sections, upgrade critical infrastructure, and increase network capacity to 16 trains per day, equating to 8 trains in each direction.

Republic of the Congo

Congo and EU hold 22nd joint implementation committee meeting on VPA

On November 27, the Republic of the Congo and the European Union convened the 22nd Joint Implementation Committee meeting for the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in Brazzaville, aiming to assess the implementation of the agreement.

During the meeting, Congolese Minister of Forest Economy Rosalie Matondo and EU Ambassador to the Congo Anne Marchal reaffirmed both parties' commitment to improving forest governance. They also decided to hold one meeting annually starting in 2026, instead of the originally planned two meetings.

Rosalie stated that the government is committed to promoting Congolese timber in the European market within the VPA/FLEGT framework. She also noted that the global forestry sector is facing challenges, with declines in certain markets causing losses for Congo's forestry industry. In this context, the viability of forestry companies depends on their ability to access markets.

World Bank to provide $60 million aid to Congo for mitigating climate risks

According to a World Bank press release, on October 30, the Bank approved $60 million in funding for the Republic of the Congo, for the "Urban Resilience Project" (PRRU), aimed at reducing erosion and flood risks.

The project adopts a multisectoral cooperation approach, focusing investments on reducing climate risks, urban infrastructure, and the construction of public facilities to enhance climate resilience and livability in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.

Cheick Fantamady Kante, World Bank Country Manager for the Republic of the Congo, stated, "Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa, with 70% of its population living in urban areas. More than half of them reside in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire."

He also noted that Congo is among the countries most severely affected by and least resilient to climate change. Therefore, this project is crucial for supporting Congo in enhancing climate resilience in its urban areas.

Five European countries launch an initiative for forests of Congo Basin

On November 6, France, Germany, Norway, Belgium, and the United Kingdom signed the Belém Call for the Forests of the Congo Basin, pledging to raise approximately $2.5 billion over the next five years for rainforest conservation and sustainable management in the Congo Basin.

According to the preliminary term-sheet, roughly sixty per cent of the funds are earmarked for performance-based payments tied to verified reductions in deforestation over a ten-year horizon, a model inspired by Norway’s partnership with Brazil. The remainder will support community forestry, climate-smart agriculture and the reinforcement of protected-area management. At least US$300 million are to be reserved for projects submitted directly by Congolese public institutions, a design choice that reflects Brazzaville’s aspiration to anchor external assistance in nationally determined contributions.

Ghana

Ghana restricts natural rubber exports to boost domestic processing

The Ghanaian government recently announced it will restrict the export of unprocessed natural rubber until domestic supply becomes self-sufficient. Finance Minister Dr. Fousseni explicitly stated that this measure aims to strengthen local manufacturing through industrial cultivation programs and promote the upgrading of the industrial value chain. This policy is a timely response to longstanding demands from the rubber industry. Previously, due to insufficient raw material supply, domestic companies like Ghana Rubber Estates Limited were forced to scale back production.

The Rubber Processors Association of Ghana (RUPAG) issued a statement praising the move as a "critical and timely intervention."

According to RUPAG's analysis, the new policy will deliver multiple benefits: securing raw material supplies for local factories, safeguarding over 70,000 rural jobs, supporting the repayment of more than GHS 650 million in cultivation loans, and increasing foreign exchange reserves by promoting deep processing.

The association also announced it would collaborate with the government to advance a capacity expansion plan, aiming to increase national dry rubber production from 100,000 tons to 250,000 tons by 2035, ensuring the sustainable development of the industry chain.

Ghana to build national geospatial information infrastructure

At the official opening of the Africa Geographic Information Systems (AfricaGIS) 2025 Session and the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) XI Joint Conference in Accra, Ghana, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Alhaji Yusif Sulemana announced that the government plans to establish a National Geospatial Information Infrastructure to facilitate the storage and sharing of geospatial data across ministries and agencies.

The deputy minister noted that this would enhance transparency and efficiency in governance across various sectors of the economy. He urged stakeholders to take decisive action to close geospatial gaps, stressing that such measures were critical to meeting the needs of ordinary citizens and delivering sustainable development across the continent.

Illegal mining drives forest degradation in Ghana

At the 28th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) on November 6, the institute warned that Ghana's forests are facing alarming levels of degradation, primarily caused by illegal mining.

Spatial analysis results discussed at the meeting showed that between 2015 and 2024, open forests increased from 4.35 million hectares to 5.37 million hectares, while closed forests decreased from 1.45 million hectares to 1.02 million hectares. The GIF stated this indicates Ghana is experiencing forest degradation, not complete deforestation.

The institute reported that 50 protected areas in Ghana, including 49 forest reserves and the Bui National Park, have been impacted by mining. At the beginning of 2025, nine forest reserves were under the control of armed miners; by October, this number had dropped to five. Among the worst-affected reserves are the Apamprama, Offin Shelterbelt, Oda River, Tano Anwia and Tano Nimri reserves.

Ghana to recruit youth for reforestation

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama announced that the government is recruiting young people for reforestation efforts. These youth would be recruited from communities affected by illegal mining and receive a monthly stipend of GHS 1,500. The youth recruitment program is reportedly part of the government's commitment to restoring degraded lands and protecting the environment from the impact of illegal mining activities.

Mahama further revealed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had begun pilot reclamation of 1,000 hectares of mined-out land under a public-private partnership and planned to eventually restore approximately 30,000 hectares of degraded land.