Gabon

Construction of Gabon's Deep-Sea Port Begins, Expected to Boost Export Efficiency for Timber and Other Goods

According to the Gabonese Presidency, construction work has officially begun on the Kobe-Kobe deep-sea port in the port town of Moanda, located in the southeastern province of Gabon.

The Kobe-Kobe deep-sea port project covers a total area of 500 hectares. Its core components include a dedicated mineral port, four berths, and a 535-kilometer railway for mineral transport.

With the gradual improvement of supporting infrastructure, the project is expected to create over 9,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs by 2030. Once operational, the port will significantly enhance export efficiency for bulk commodities such as timber and minerals, and help position Gabon as a logistics hub in Central Africa.

TotalEnergies and Gabonese Timber Company Partner to Develop New Forest Management Model

Recently, TotalEnergies and Gabonese timber company CBG have joined forces to create a sustainable and responsible forest management model that combines sustainable logging, biodiversity conservation, and long-term carbon sequestration. TotalEnergies has become a key partner after acquiring a 49% stake in CBG from Criterion Africa Partners.

The forest management model adopted by the partners will help strike a new balance between, on the one hand, sustainable timber harvesting and local processing while maintaining carbon storage, and, on the other hand, generating carbon credits through reduced logging impacts, reforestation, agroforestry, and natural forest protection. This new model aligns both with the Gabonese authorities' "Green Gabon" vision—the country's development strategy for sustainably managing natural resources for the benefit of its people—and with Gabon's climate policy.

Gabon Takes Action Against 50 Timber Companies for Unpaid Logging Taxes

Recently, Gabon took action against 50 forestry companies that had evaded logging taxes over the past three years. The Gabonese authorities are working through a specialized forestry task force that has expanded its review of tax compliance, concession obligations, and regulatory fees across the entire industry. This operation is expected to recover tax revenues for the government while strengthening oversight of operators nationwide.

Republic of the Congo

First Working Meeting of Congo Basin Climate Commission Focuses on Carbon Markets

The Congo Basin Climate Commission (CBCC) held its first regional carbon market forum from June 16 to 19 in Brazzaville.

Discussions centered around the following: reviewing the project "Strengthening Carbon Financing for the Protection of Congo Basin Forests and Regional Technical Training on Carbon Market Concepts, Mechanisms, and Practical Applications"; exploring regional financing strategies for carbon markets and the "Blue Fund"; and conducting technical capacity-building training on basic carbon market concepts.

Notably, carbon markets can play an important role in bridging the financing gap for climate change adaptation in Africa. Just recently, the African Union called on development partners to mobilize at least US$1.3 to US$1.6 trillion during the critical decade of 2020–2030.

Congo's Minister Visits Timber Processing Companies on Site

Michel Djombo, Minister of Industrial Development, Special Economic Zones and Private Sector Promotion of the Congo, recently traveled to the Sangha Department in the north of the country to inspect the operations of two timber processing plants in the Pokola and Ngombé communities.

He visited the factory of IFO, a benchmark company specializing in wood processing. On site, the minister inspected the entire timber production chain, including the sawmill, drying rooms, laboratory, plywood and laminated wood workshop, hydraulic sawmill, and storage areas.

He thus gained a practical understanding of the overall operations of this forestry unit and then commended the operator for its investments. The head of IFO stated that although the unit's organization and management are already quite comprehensive, he promised the minister to increase investment to modernize production equipment. The goal is to increase local value addition of forestry resources.

However, during the exchange, the head of IFO also raised the long-standing issue of electricity supply with the minister, saying it hinders their ability to develop a more competitive, attractive, and high-value-added timber processing industry.

Congo's First-Quarter Processed Timber Exports Reach XAF 21.6 Billion

Congo 's ban on raw log exports showed results in the first quarter of 2026. According to the Economic Outlook Report published by the Directorate General of Economy (DGE), rotary veneer production surged by 98.6% year-on-year to 5,383 cubic meters (compared with 2,711 cubic meters in the same period of 2025). At the same time, exports of these processed products rose by 89.8%, driven by sustained overseas demand from Asian and European markets.

Although total timber exports fell by 7.3%, the export value of processed timber increased by 3% to XAF 21.6 billion (compared with XAF 21 billion in the same period last year). This decoupling of volume and value reflects a gradual shift in export structure toward higher value-added products. A surge of 80.8% in rotary veneer exports partially offset a decline in sawn timber exports (-10.1%).

A survey showed that 80% of forestry companies lack the equipment needed for adequate local processing. Financing constraints and high local processing costs remain structural barriers. Despite progress, consolidating this industrialization process will still require substantial investment in local production facilities.

Congo and EU Hold FLEGT Technical Meeting

Members of the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the Republic of Congo and the European Union met in a technical session on June 9, 2026, with both in-person and video participation. The meeting was co-chaired by Célestin Boussiengue, Director General of Forestry Economy of the Republic of Congo, and Augustin Bondo Tiani, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation. The aim was to allow experts from both sides to assess progress in implementing the agreement since the November 2025 meeting.

Augustin Bondo Tiani acknowledged the progress made but reminded participants that time is running short to achieve the ultimate goal of the VPA—the issuance of FLEGT licenses—and therefore urged accelerated implementation to ensure that the VPA's objectives are met.

The Congo Government Deploys Teams for Forest Inventory

In the Congo, the government has begun inventorying the forest concessions it has reclaimed and has dispatched trained teams to assess the actual value of these disputed assets on the ground.

The National Center for Forest and Wildlife Resource Inventory and Management (CNIAF) launched a training program in Brazzaville on June 9. The course aims to train professionals responsible for inventorying concessions that have reverted to public ownership.

For investors focused on the Congo Basin, this move is significant. An inventory is a prerequisite for any credible valuation, and valuation is a prerequisite for any future allocation, sale, or partnership involving these forest areas.

After training, technicians will be deployed to ten concession areas in Kouilou, Bouenza, Djoué-Léfini, and Likouala. These concession areas cover coastal and northern forest zones, demonstrating diverse commercial potential.

The inventory results will enable authorities to assess the potential of the relevant concessions, identify commercial tree species, and estimate harvestable volumes.

Congo's Prime Minister Presents Government Action Plan to Parliament

The government of the Congo is determined to prioritize agriculture and industry. The Prime Minister reaffirmed this when presenting the government's action plan to the lower house of parliament on June 22.

In the industrial sector, several major projects are underway, particularly in mining and forestry. The new Mining Code and Forestry Code are truly revolutionary. They aim to rebalance wealth distribution, establish production-sharing systems, envision increased capital participation by national stakeholders, and prioritize local processing of natural resources.

In the inland waterways sector, public action will focus on improving navigability on the Congo River and its tributaries, as well as modernizing secondary ports. The goal is to integrate shipping along three waterways: Brazzaville–Oyo–Lékéti, Brazzaville–Ouesso, and Brazzaville–Impfondo–Bangui.

Congo (Brazzaville) Prime Minister Announces 20 Five-Year Tasks for the Government

On June 22 in Brazzaville, the Prime Minister of Congo (Brazzaville) announced that the government would develop 20 tasks to structure, provide for, and improve the daily lives of Congolese citizens. He presented the government action plan to members of parliament.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government's action is driven by four main levers. First, tax reform aimed at simplifying the tax system, digitizing revenue collection, and ensuring greater tax fairness, with a target of achieving annual revenue of XAF 5 trillion in the medium term. Second, mobilizing innovative financing channels, particularly through public-private partnerships, and establishing a stable legal framework. Third, developing natural resources through local processing and better capture of value added. Fourth, refinancing domestic and market debt by reclassifying short-term debt as long-term debt, thereby improving budget sustainability.

Ghana

Ghana Government Launches 2026 "Tree for Life" Reforestation Program

Following the successful planting of over 31 million trees in 2025, the government has launched the 2026 "Tree for Life" reforestation program, targeting the planting of 30 million seedlings nationwide. At the launch ceremony, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission stated that forests remain a significant contributor to Ghana's economy and livelihoods, with about 20% of the population directly or indirectly dependent on forest resources. In 2025, the country's total timber and wood product output reached 952,000 cubic meters, valued at approximately US$260 million, including exports and local supply.

The "Tree for Life" reforestation initiative was launched by President John Dramani Mahama in 2025 as a flagship national project to restore degraded land, increase forest cover, and strengthen Ghana's resilience to climate change.

Ghana Forestry Commission Outlines Sustainable Development Roadmap at French Wood Expo

At the EU-Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum held during the CIB (Carrefour International du Bois) exhibition in Nantes, France, on June 2, Richard Gyimah, Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission, stated that Ghana is currently focusing on increasing timber value addition and encouraging the use of lesser-known tree species to enhance competitiveness. As of the first quarter of 2026, 525 enterprises have registered with the Forestry Commission. These include 51 large-scale timber processing companies, 325 small-scale timber processing companies, 29 export trading companies, and 9 large furniture manufacturers.

To sustain timber supply, Ghana has developed approximately 400,000 hectares of plantations, of which 340,000 hectares are on public land and 60,000 hectares are on private land. The annual allowable cut from natural forests in production reserves is capped at 1 million cubic meters, plus about 300,000 cubic meters from plantations.

To date, Ghana has issued approximately 626 FLEGT licenses covering timber exports to 19 European countries. In the near future, licenses will incorporate geolocation data to meet EUDR requirements, and discussions are underway to add QR codes for rapid verification.

Ghana Strengthens FLEGT System to Comply with EU Regulations

At the EU-Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum held during the 2026 International Wood Fair in Nantes, France, the Director of the Timber Verification Department of the Ghana Forestry Commission stated that Ghana is strengthening the legal framework for its FLEGT licenses to comply with the stricter EU Deforestation Regulation.

Although FLEGT licenses already address legality, the Forestry Commission is reinforcing the Ghana Timber Legality Assurance System (GhLAS), expanding the Timber Verification Committee, and training staff to meet EUDR requirements.

Ghana Pilots New Forest Protection Facilities to Strengthen Law Enforcement in Forest Reserves

The Ghana Forestry Commission has established 12 new forest protection facilities as a pilot project aimed at strengthening daily law enforcement capacity.

The pilot project has set up 10 camps within four protected areas in the Ashanti and Western regions, providing operational bases for front-line teams. The goal is to reduce illegal mining and illegal logging activities affecting these protected areas by acting as a deterrent in high-risk zones. The campsite locations also help coordinate patrols and enforcement efforts, enabling faster responses to incursions and wildfire outbreaks. Two additional checkpoints in northern Ghana further extend this effort, helping monitor timber transportation along major trade routes.