Gabon

Gabon launches PES pilot project

Gabonese Environment Minister Mays Mouissi launched a groundbreaking environmental rewards program recently. Thanks to 259 million CFA francs in funding from the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), local communities committed to preserving ecosystems will now receive financial support.

Environment Minister Mays Mouissi announced the establishment of a Payments for Environmental Services (PES) pilot program to reward local communities' efforts to preserve the environment. This program is funded to the tune of 259 million CFA francs by the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). The signing of a memorandum of understanding with the National Climate Council marks the official launch of this initiative, which aims to financially support individuals, community groups, and local organizations committed to environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management.

Gabonese government collaborates with ETBG to establish a timber processing unit

The Ministry of Water and Forests and ETBG have entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the establishment of an integrated wood processing unit. The key benefits include local development of forest resources, job creation, and a concrete contribution to the green economy advocated by the transitional authorities.

This new industrial infrastructure will help strengthen the local value chain in the sector, reduce dependence on raw wood exports, and stimulate domestic economic benefits.

To ensure the project's viability, the Gabonese government has made concrete commitments. It will ensure a regular supply of logs and provide the partner company with a forest area of 50,184 hectares. This land allocation will enable ETBG to secure its raw material needs while respecting the sustainability principles required by national and international standards.

The Republic of the Congo

Increase in US customs tariffs: the CEMAC region aims to limit the impact

A local media in the Republic of the Congo said that the increase in US customs tariffs could have relatively little impact on the countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Export volumes to the United States represent only 2.1%, behind the European Union (27.4%) and China (24.5%). However, the sub-region intends to diversify its production and expand into other markets.

According to experts, the oil and timber sectors could nevertheless be affected by the increase in customs tariffs. They advocate economic diversification, inspired by the Gulf countries' model, and the strengthening of intra-community trade in order to reduce the region's dependence on foreign markets and better cope with fluctuations in international trade policies.

Ghana

Ghana’s economy records strong performance in first-half of 2025

Ghana’s economy showed strong signs of recovery and growth in the first half of 2025, buoyed by improved macroeconomic indicators across the real, financial, and external sectors.

Headline inflation fell to 13.7 percent in June 2025, down from 18.4 percent in May—marking the lowest inflation rate since December 2021.

Ghana’s external sector performance has also improved significantly. The country recorded a current account surplus of US$3.4 billion in the first half of 2025—its highest on record.

The Ghanaian cedi posted impressive gains against major international currencies. As of July 25, 2025, the cedi had appreciated by 40.7 percent against the US dollar, 31.2 percent against the British pound, and 24.2 percent against the euro—reflecting improved confidence in the local currency and macroeconomic stability.

History beckons Ghana in EU FLEGT Licence: Parliament ratifies 131 timber utilisation contracts

Ghana is set to issue Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) licenses for all timber exports to the EU beginning October 8, 2025. As of July 24, the Ghanaian Parliament had ratified 131 Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs), so as to meet the final requirements of the FLEGT licensing process.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, explained that the ratification of the TUCs meant that the country was ready to go to the EU market without any hindrance.

Backed by the Ghana Legality Assurance System (GhLAS) and its state-of-the-art Ghana Wood Tracking and Decision Support System (GWT-DSS), timber from Ghana is now traceable from forest to market,” he added.