Gabon

Gabon Launches Major Renovation of Administrative Housing

The Gabonese government is preparing for a large-scale overhaul of its aging administrative housing stock.

The initiative extends beyond simple renovation. Authorities describe it as a "deep modernization" effort, encompassing comprehensive upgrades to security, sanitation, and infrastructure.

Gabon's Timber Sector: February Operational Update

February saw persistent heavy rainfall continue across Gabon's interior, forcing logging operations to maintain a reduced pace. This slowdown is attributed to both the challenging weather conditions hindering extraction and persistently weak global demand. Current production remains centered on key commercial species such as Okoumé, Okan, and Red Ironwood.

On the logistics front, the Port of Owendo is operating normally with ample container availability. Despite weather-related disruptions in inland harvesting areas, transportation to and from the port remains largely fluid.

Market demand, however, is showing significant regional divergence. Local sawmills report a rebound in buying interest for Okoumé from the Middle East. Following China's implementation of tariff exemptions on African goods, inquiry volumes from China have also seen a uptick.

Conversely, the European market is experiencing low overall inquiry levels, weighed down by high inventories coupled with the seasonally slow demand period.

Gabon Taps into Green Chemistry and Biotech Potential of Okoumé

On February 9th, Gabon's Minister of Water and Forests held a working session with BIOKOUME company regarding Okoumé resin. Following the meeting, the Minister announced that after two years of research (Phase 1), the significant potential of several Okoumé extracts in cosmetics and health sectors has been confirmed, with the first active ingredient now ready for commercialization.

This marks a pivotal shift for Okoumé, recognizing it not merely as timber for veneer or plywood, but as a raw material for green chemistry and biotechnology.

The second phase of the project will concentrate on "the sector's growth, conservation of genetic resources, traceability, and sustainability." The dual challenge lies in safeguarding forest resources while creating local added value.

Republic of the Congo

AfDB Provides EUR 10 Million Support to Ecobank Congo

To foster business exchanges and improve import/export conditions for Congolese enterprises, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a EUR 10 million guarantee on February 13th to support Ecobank Congo.

This guarantee will enable the pan-African bank to cover default risks in international trade transactions conducted by Ecobank Congo, specifically targeting letters of credit for imported goods. Essentially, it provides security to corresponding foreign banks and facilitates the importation of essential products for the national economy.

The primary beneficiaries will be Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in import-export activities, spanning sectors like general trade, basic foodstuffs, transportation, healthcare, education, and information technology.

World Bank Supports Launch of Carbon Market Roadmap for Congo and other Congo Basin Countries

With support from the World Bank, the "Strategic Roadmap for Carbon Markets and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector of Congo Basin Countries" was recently released. The roadmap aims to transform the region's rich forest resources into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth, sustainable development, and green job creation.

The report covers the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. The dedicated country note for the Republic of Congo indicates that as a High Forest Cover, Low Deforestation (HFLD) nation, it is well-positioned to leverage carbon markets and climate finance to achieve emission reduction targets within its forestry sector.

The assessment reveals that while the Republic of Congo has laid important groundwork for carbon finance and markets, significant institutional, legal, and operational gaps remain. Achievements to date include its REDD+ Strategy, the Forest Carbon Working Group, the Sangha-Likouala Emission Reduction Program (ERP), and various private sector and NGO projects.

Industry Workshop Explores Domestic Timber Market in Congo

The International Technical Association for Tropical Timber (ATIBT) recently hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo. Bringing together actors across the country's domestic timber value chain, the workshop aimed to build a legal and sustainable domestic timber market. This meeting was part of the implementation of the EU-funded "Domestic Timber Market (MIB Congo)" project, which seeks to structure and revitalize the Congolese timber industry, making it more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive.

Discussions highlighted several persistent challenges, including low participation from large-scale enterprises in the domestic market, high processing costs for manufactured products, difficulties for small-scale sawmills in achieving legal status, limited availability of dried lumber, product standardization issues, high transportation costs, a scarcity of licensed transporters, and the heavy tax burden on SMEs.

Ghana

Ghana Drives Forest Sector Upgrading

According to the Ghana Times on February 26th, President Mahama stated at a recent Tree Crops Exhibition that Ghana needs to move away from its long-standing practice of exporting raw agricultural commodities. He announced the cessation of raw cashew nut exports, pivoting instead to attract investment for building local cashew processing capacity.

The Tree Crops Development Authority aims to achieve an annual revenue target of USD 12 billion from six key crop categories—cashew, oil palm, shea, coconut, rubber, and mango—by 2030, while simultaneously creating up to 500,000 jobs. A key focus is creating employment opportunities for young people, particularly empowering women working in the shea sector. The Authority plans to develop a total of 16,000 hectares of plantations across all 16 regions of Ghana, with each region focusing on crops best suited to its specific ecological conditions.

Ghana Commits USD 500 Million to Expand Oil Palm Cultivation

Reporting on February 27th, Ghana Web stated that the CEO of the Tree Crops Development Authority, Andy Osei Okra, announced President Mahama's commitment of USD 500 million to expand oil palm cultivation. This marks a decisive step in transforming the tree crops sector into a key driver of economic growth.

The funding will be directed towards developing 100,000 hectares of new oil palm plantations. The project is projected to generate approximately 250,000 jobs, while also helping to diversify Ghana's agricultural base and reduce its long-standing reliance on cocoa exports.

Ghana Aims for 60% Local Processing of Forest Products

Ghana Web reported on February 19th that President Mahama has announced a plan to process at least 60% of major tree crops locally each year. The goal is to promote industrialization, create jobs, and reduce dependence on raw material exports.

Speaking at the inaugural Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit in Accra, the President stated that this initiative, implemented under a revised USD 200 million Tree Crops Diversification Project, promises to be a turning point for Ghana's agricultural sector, transitioning it from primary production to value addition. He asserted, "We will no longer export raw materials like cashew, shea, or unprocessed rubber, only to import finished products at higher prices." He also outlined the government's plans to achieve this goal, including expanding agricultural industrial parks, encouraging private sector processing, and strengthening regulations through the Tree Crops Development Authority.

EFI Launches New Project to Support Sustainable Forest Management in Ghana

On February 12th, the European Forest Institute (EFI) officially launched a new EU-funded project in Accra, Ghana. The project aims to support Ghana's efforts in sustainable forest management and governance, specifically by strengthening the participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), communities, and the private sector in decision-making platforms related to Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). Implemented by a consortium of five partners, the project, titled "Supporting the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana's engagement in the FLEGT Multi-Stakeholder Platform and Non-State Actor involvement in tree tenure reform," runs from November 2025 to June 2027.

EU representative Clement Beckers noted that the project focuses on participatory forest governance, bringing together civil society, the private sector, and the government to verify the legality and sustainability of timber exported to Europe.

In 2025, Ghana issued its first FLEGT license, becoming the first country in Africa and the second globally (after Indonesia) to achieve this. Joseph Osiakwam, Technical Director for Forestry at Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, indicated that over 400 licenses have been issued under the FLEGT scheme, demonstrating that serious progress is already underway.