Africa's Forests Remain Vital to Resilient Livelihoods and Economies, African Forest Forum Says
Africa’s forests remain one of the continent’s greatest assets for building resilient livelihoods, protecting biodiversity and strengthening economies, according to the African Forest Forum (AFF), which has called for stronger collaboration, strategic financing and greater private-sector involvement to safeguard these critical ecosystems.
Speaking at the opening of a five-day regional information-sharing webinar on Monday, AFF Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Prof Labode Popoola said new research findings from across the continent highlight both the promise and the challenges facing Africa’s forest landscapes.
The virtual event, running from 8 to 12 June, brings together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss evidence gathered through a series of studies on sustainable land management, biodiversity governance and forest-based livelihoods. The webinar forms part of a transformation programme supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), aimed at strengthening AFF’s capacity to improve livelihoods and environmental stability through better management of Africa’s forest and tree resources.
The initiative focuses on four key areas: biodiversity conservation, renewable energy in forest biodiversity hotspots, knowledge sharing, and institutional transformation. Over the past two years, researchers and experts working with AFF have conducted 19 studies in selected African countries, examining issues ranging from biodiversity management and conservation to renewable biomass energy and forest governance.
Those findings are now being shared with governments, researchers, civil society groups and development partners through the regional webinar. Participants will also review regional studies on the science-media landscape and learn from pilot projects demonstrating sustainable land management practices at the community level.
Prof Popoola said the research points to the continued importance of Africa’s forests in supporting livelihoods and enhancing resilience to climate and environmental shocks. “Africa’s forests with their diversity still hold great promise in building resilient livelihoods and economies,” he said, while noting that experiences across the continent reveal differing levels of progress, underlining the need for stronger collaboration and innovation.
He called for collective action, strategic financing and greater involvement of the private sector to help scale up solutions that protect biodiversity while improving the wellbeing of communities that depend on forest resources. The findings come at a time when African nations are increasingly asserting their position on global environmental governance. At the ongoing UN climate talks in Bonn, the African Group of Negotiators has called for a stronger focus on adaptation, climate finance and equitable international cooperation — priorities that align closely with the AFF’s emphasis on securing sustainable livelihoods through responsible forest management.
Prof Popoola also expressed appreciation to Sida for its long-standing financial support, describing the partnership as instrumental in advancing sustainable forest management across Africa. As discussions continue through the week, organisers hope the findings will help bridge the gap between research and practice, providing evidence that can guide policies and investments aimed at safeguarding Africa’s biodiversity hotspots while improving livelihoods for millions of people who depend on them.
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