Peter Gondo (with a microphone) a consultant at SKYPEG Consulting Ltd, speaking during a discussion session at the Zámba Heritage Congress in Nairobi, Kenya. PHOTO/FSC.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
Investment in Africa’s forests remains well below necessary levels, impeding crucial conservation efforts and exacerbating the risks of deforestation, a leading forestry expert has said.
Peter Gondo, a forestry specialist from Tanzania, outlined the financial challenges hindering sustainable forest management during his address at the Zámba Heritage Congress in Nairobi, which concluded on Thursday.
Organised by the Forest Steward Council (FSC) Africa and the Kenyan government, the Zámba Heritage Congress brought together forestry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss urgent environmental issues.
The forum served as the launchpad for the Zamba Heritage Initiative, a bold effort to conserve 30 million hectares of forest and place five million hectares under protection.
During the congress, Gondo who is also a consultant at SKYPEG Consulting Ltd highlighted the alarming financial gap in Africa’s forest sector, noting that investment levels need to increase dramatically to meet global climate and biodiversity goals.
INGOGRAPHIC/SKYPEG.
According to UNEP studies, annual forest investments must rise from $84 billion in 2023 to $300 billion by 2030, and $498 billion annually by 2050, to meet the targets set by the Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation.
Despite the mounting pressure, Gondo pointed out that the forest finance gap in Africa is currently estimated at $216 billion per year, with the AFR100 initiative suggesting a gap of between $75 billion and $100 billion annually.
This lack of financial support, he argued, has already led to significant economic losses for African nations. For example, Kenya experiences a loss of approximately $68 million each year due to deforestation, while Ghana suffers a loss of $133.6 million annually – about 2.6% of the country’s GDP – due to forest degradation.
The economic consequences of inadequate forest financing extend beyond direct revenue losses. Gondo warned that the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, are putting additional strain on public budgets, increasing recovery costs for infrastructure damage, and expanding the range of disease-carrying vectors, further burdening healthcare systems.
He also pointed to the rising costs associated with water treatment and infrastructure, which are exacerbated by deforestation and siltation. These environmental and economic stresses underscore the urgent need for a strategic, well-funded approach to forest management.
Young forestry champions in attendance at the Zámba Heritage Congress. PHOTO/FSC.
Africa’s forests, which cover 635 million hectares, about 21.4 percent of the continent’s total land area; are crucial for the environment and the economy.
Despite being home to 16 percent of the world’s forested areas, the continent suffers from a significant loss of forest cover. From 2010 to 2020, Africa lost between 3.28 million and 3.94 million hectares of forest annually, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
In addition to environmental concerns, Gondo highlighted the continent’s limited economic returns from forestry. In 2019, Africa’s timber exports were valued at just $6 billion, significantly lower than the European Union’s $100 billion in exports, despite Africa producing 54% more wood than the EU. The majority of Africa’s wood is harvested for biomass energy, primarily firewood and charcoal, with little added value from processed wood products.
Gondo called for urgent reforms to increase forest investment, including clearer land and tree tenure rights, better policy alignment, and more public-private partnerships.
He also urged the establishment of regional forest investment forums and the use of innovative financial solutions such as digital technologies and mobile money platforms to enhance traceability and accountability in forest markets.
The congress underscored the need for Africa to seize the opportunity presented by international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which provide a roadmap for the continent to align its forest financing efforts with global sustainability goals.
INGOGRAPHIC/SKYPEG.
“The time to act is now. Without a substantial increase in investment, we risk losing not only vital ecosystems but also the economic potential that African forests can offer,” Gondo warned. “If we are to meet the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, we must prioritise forest financing as a matter of urgency.”
As the Zámba Heritage Initiative seeks to protect and restore vast areas of forest, experts are hopeful that the Congress’s discussions will pave the way for increased investment in one of Africa’s most critical natural resources.
Africa’s forests are vital to both the environment and the economy. Despite covering 16% of the world’s forested areas, the continent’s forestry sector remains underdeveloped. With unsustainable timber extraction and limited export value, Africa’s forests face severe threats from deforestation and degradation, further compounded by inadequate investment.
The urgent need for enhanced financing and policy reforms is critical to unlocking the potential of Africa’s forests for climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable economic development.
