Gabon

Gabon government advances the "Gabon Infini" plan

The Gabonese government is continuing to optimize its core strategic direction for sustainable development and economic recovery. On August 24, the government held a working meeting to assess progress on the "Gabon Infini" plan and review measures aimed at revitalizing the forestry and timber industry.

The current state of the forestry and timber industry was also a major focus of the discussions. Key priorities include improving the economic situation of operators, revising certain regulatory mechanisms, and clearing outstanding debts, so as to support businesses and safeguard jobs. This initiative is in line with the president's instructions for achieving a sustainable and competitive recovery of the sector.

Gabon pushes timber industry revival, repays CFA 20 billion in tax refunds

Gabon is committed to revitalizing its timber industry. After several years of slowing demand in some international markets, especially in Asia, the forestry sector now has strong political and financial support.

On August 10, Gabon's president met with the Minister of Water and Forests and major industry players, setting out directions for a comprehensive recovery at the economic, industrial, and social levels. The first concrete measure announced was the repayment of CFA 20 billion in value-added tax refunds owed to companies in the sector.

The forestry and timber industry occupies a unique position in Gabon's economy. It creates more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, is the country's largest private-sector employer, and is a key driver of economic diversification.

The current challenge mainly stems from shrinking demand in some overseas markets. This dependence on a small number of international markets inevitably exposes operators to economic downturns. Therefore, the measures taken by the president are not limited to financial assistance but also aim to comprehensively reshape the sector's business strategy. Relevant government departments have been instructed to continue opening new markets, especially in Africa and within the subregion. The clear goal is to reduce external vulnerability by expanding sales channels and enhancing the value of Gabonese timber in African and international markets.

Another focus of the recovery plan is local processing and domestic consumption. The focus of discussion has shifted from mere timber export volumes to how to create value from forest resources.

Republic of the Congo

Call for proposals launched to promote lesser-used timber species and their product value chains

Recently, a call for proposals under the European Union's Forest Governance and Value Chains (FGVC) program was launched, aiming to develop competitive and sustainable value chains in Central Africa by promoting "lesser-used timber species" (LUTS) and their products. Interested companies may submit proposals before October 19, 2026.

The FGVC program is an important mechanism for implementing the "Forest Partnership" between the EU and partner countries. This call for proposals is open to companies in the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and EU member states, and aims to support short-term interventions and larger pilot projects to build more competitive and adaptable supply chains and mobilize investment and funding for scaling up. Specifically, the call aims to strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of tropical timber value chains in Central Africa by: fostering more durable, stable, and structured demand in Europe for products from lesser-used timber species; developing more competitive and adaptable supply systems; and mobilizing investment and funding to drive scaling up.

Republic of the Congo spends US$25 million to develop non-timber forest products

The Republic of the Congo has taken a measure aimed at converting the rich resources contained in its tropical rainforests into measurable economic value. On August 4, 2026, in Pointe-Noire, the economic capital, the Congolese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed the National Non-Timber Forest Products Development Plan. The eight-year plan aims to transform products such as honey, black pepper, wild mushrooms, bamboo, essential oils, caterpillars, asparagus, and leafy vegetables from marginalized subsistence chains into structured, income-generating value chains. The signatures were made by Minister of Forest Economy Rosalie Matondo, UNDP Resident Representative in Congo Adama Dian Barry, and ArisePICP Project Director Mohit Agrawal (aci.cg, adiac-congo.com).

The Republic of the Congo has long relied on timber and oil and gas resources, but this new plan redefines forests as an asset worth far more than logs. According to Eric Kinkonda Koubemba, director of the non-timber forest products value-addition center introducing the project, the goal is to raise the forestry sector's contribution to the national economy from 5.6% of GDP to 10%.

The project has a budget of more than CFA 14 billion, 70% of which is provided by UNDP and the remaining 30% by the Congolese government. According to reports from Brazzaville, total expenditure over the eight-year project period will be about US$25 million (adiac-congo.com). The project will be implemented in seven departments: Sangha, Cuvette, Plateaux, Pool, Niari, Kouilou, and Cuvette-Ouest.

Ghana

Chief Executive of Ghana's Forestry Commission presents achievements

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on August 26, 2026, Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, reviewed the milestone achievements made during his tenure as Chief Executive.

Since taking office in 2025, the Forestry Commission has achieved several notable results. For example, illegal miners (Galamsey operators) were removed from nine forest reserves that had previously been inaccessible, allowing ecological restoration work to resume.

Another achievement is increasing plantation timber production. At present, plantation products account for about 60% of total forest products. The statement noted that in addition, about 400 private entities have obtained degraded land for ecological restoration and plantation development, creating 17,300 jobs.