Gabon

Merger of Gabon's Ministry of Water and Forests with the Ministry of Environment and Climate

On January 1, the Gabonese government announced the merger of the Ministry of Water and Forests with the Ministry of Environment and Climate, which is responsible for human-wildlife conflicts. The President has appointed Maurice Ntossui Allogo to lead this new, larger institution, now known as the Ministry of Water and Forests, Environment, Climate.

This strategic choice reflects the new government's clear commitment to strengthening institutional coordination and enhancing the efficiency of public sector actions that are crucial for the country's future.

The selection of Maurice Ntossui Allogo for this position holds significant importance. Having previously served as the Minister of Water, Forests, and Human-Wildlife Conflicts, he is well-acquainted with the issues, stakeholders, and challenges in this field. Meanwhile, Mays Lloyd Mouissi, who previously served as the Minister of Environment, Ecology and Climate, will be reassigned as the Minister of Housing, Urban Planning and Land Registry.

Freight Rate Agreement Signed between UFIGA and SETRAG in Gabon

On January 7, the Union of Forestry and Wood Industries of Gabon (UFIGA) and the Gabon Railway Operating Company (SETRAG) announced that they had reached an agreement on the railway transportation rates for round logs for the 2025-2026 period. This agreement is the result of constructive dialogue between the two parties, aiming to balance the economic needs of the timber industry with the operational constraints of the railway operator.

One notable advancement is the elimination of the requirement for cash payments in advance of transportation, which had previously placed a heavy burden on the cash flow of forestry operators.

Regarding 2027, both parties stated that consultations will commence in 2026 to determine the terms for freight rate adjustments. Through this agreement, UFIGA and SETRAG have reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a sustainable partnership based on transparency, serving the competitiveness of the timber industry and the economic development of Gabon.

Meeting between the Gabonese Government and Timber Industry Representatives

On January 12, Hermann Immongault, the Vice President of Gabon in charge of government affairs, met with representatives from the timber industry to discuss the significant role this strategic sector plays in the diversification of the national economy.

Representatives from the Union of Forestry and Wood Industries of Gabon (UFIGA) outlined the challenges they face, along with proposals aimed at revitalizing the industry, enhancing corporate competitiveness, and strengthening local wood processing.

The Vice President listened attentively to the views of industry stakeholders and emphasized the need for ongoing and constructive dialogue between the government and economic operators.

Maurice Ntossui Allogo, Gabon's Minister of Water, Forests, Environment and Climate, stressed the importance of balancing economic development, forest resource conservation, and environmental standards. He reiterated that Gabon's forestry policy is based on responsible and sustainable logging, which is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainable development of the forestry sector and the equitable sharing of benefits with local communities.

After the meeting, both parties agreed to continue consultations to translate the various proposals discussed into concrete actions that benefit the national economy and employment.

Gabon Leverages Artificial Intelligence to Curb Deforestation

Gabon is utilizing artificial intelligence to strengthen its efforts against deforestation, including the promotion of the "Forest Foresight" system. Developed in collaboration between Gabon and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the "Forest Foresight" system is an AI-driven monitoring tool that has been integrated into Gabon's national forest monitoring system.

By analyzing satellite imagery, the "Forest Foresight" system identifies high-risk areas for deforestation, enabling authorities to predict threats up to six months in advance. According to project partners, the system has an accuracy rate of approximately 80%, allowing for more precise deployment of patrol and law enforcement resources.

This tool has already achieved remarkable results. Officials stated that it helped prevent the establishment of an illegal gold mine, protecting approximately 30 hectares of primary forest.

However, environmental officials caution that artificial intelligence alone cannot halt deforestation. They noted that while this technology enhances the efficiency of monitoring operations, success depends on sustained political commitment, on-the-ground law enforcement, and collaboration with local communities living near protected areas.

Republic of the Congo

Republic of the Congo to Strengthen Management Across Forestry Sectors

On January 23, a meeting of heads of forestry economic departments in the Republic of the Congo was held in Brazzaville.

At the meeting, the Minister of Forestry Economy reviewed the pivotal role of department heads in enforcing laws and regulations, regulating forestry activities, combating illegal logging, promoting sustainable forest management, and supporting local communities. The strategic importance of the forestry sector to the national economy was emphasized, both in terms of growth and job creation, as well as biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Currently, the forestry priorities of the Republic of the Congo include improving the collection of taxes and other forest products, regularly producing activity reports, and generating reliable statistical data. This also encompasses protecting forest areas, monitoring operators' compliance with contractual obligations, improving working conditions, and providing continuous training for agents.

Republic of the Congo's Forestry Ministry Sets 2026 Work Priorities

On January 22, the Minister of Forestry Economy, Rosalie Matondo, met with senior staff and managers of the ministry to define the sector's work priorities for 2026.

Rosalie Matondo stated that the primary responsibility is to concentrate efforts, capabilities, and resources on implementing the following priority actions: finalizing the commissioning of the computer system for timber legality verification (SIVL); launching robust actions to recover taxes and other debts owed by forestry enterprises; accelerating the implementation of the log production sharing system; and preparing for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2027-2036) with a focus on sustainable forest management, afforestation, and reforestation.

In addition to these key activities, all priorities for 2025 have been implemented, including finalizing the price list and catalog of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), completing forest stand management plans, ensuring the security of forest plantation stands, and establishing summary sheets for concessions pending certification or applying for certification.

Forestry Taxes Generate Annual Revenue of 11 Billion to 14 Billion CFA Francs

Rosalie Matondo, the Minister of Forestry Economy of the Republic of the Congo, speaking as the main guest on the "30 Days of Comprehensive Transparency Persuasion" program, stated that the forestry sector contributes annual forestry tax revenues of 11 billion to 14 billion CFA francs to the country. Public finance observers believe that this figure provides a concrete benchmark. It demonstrates that forest governance is not only an environmental issue but also a practical tool for domestic resource mobilization and budget planning, especially for a country seeking to balance its national revenue sources.

The Republic of the Congo boasts abundant forest resources, including approximately 300 types of timber and a variety of non-timber forest products. Timber, often referred to as "green gold," holds the second-highest position in the national economic system after oil, known as "black gold."

Since 2016, the forestry sector has created an estimated approximately 7,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs. From a labor market analysis perspective, these figures highlight the sector's ability to generate employment opportunities outside major cities.

Ghana

Ghana's Trees for Life Initiative Has Planted Over 26 Million Tree Seedlings

Recently, Hugh C.A Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Forestry Commission, highlighted remarkable achievements in forest governance, restoration, and institutional development. He reported significant progress in the government's "Trees for Life" afforestation initiative, which has rehabilitated over 65,000 hectares of degraded land and planted more than 26 million tree seedlings nationwide, creating over 41,000 green jobs.

Brown also announced substantial advancements in combating illegal mining in forest reserves. By December 2025, with strengthened law enforcement efforts leading to the seizure of mining equipment and the arrest of hundreds of suspects, no forest reserve remained classified as a "red zone."

Ghana Establishes National Timber Monitoring Team to Strengthen Fight Against Illegal Logging

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana has established a nine-member National Timber Monitoring Team to intensify efforts against illegal logging activities across the country.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources emphasized that Ghana's forests are vital national assets but face severe threats from persistent illegal logging and unauthorized timber harvesting.

The monitoring team is tasked with overseeing timber harvesting, transportation, and trade, as well as enforcing forestry regulations through close collaboration with the Forestry Commission, security agencies, and local authorities.

Ghana Forestry Commission CEO Outlines Five Strategic Pillars

The Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Ghana Forestry Commission (FC) held a two-day high-level strategic meeting in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, from January 29 to 30, 2026, to review its 2025 performance and set its strategic agenda for 2026.

In his address, Hugh Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, highlighted key achievements, including progress in combating illegal mining (known as "galamsey" in Ghanaian); the "Trees for Life" afforestation initiative (T4L); Ghana's issuance of a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) license, making it the second country globally after Indonesia to do so; and increased investment in ecotourism.

Hugh Brown outlined five strategic pillars to guide his tenure: strengthening forest protection and law enforcement; expanding afforestation and forest restoration; promoting ecotourism and environmental service licensing; conserving biodiversity; and enhancing multi-stakeholder collaboration supported by technological innovation.