Forest Management Certification Expanded Across Africa
New forest certifications in Africa helped improve sustainable land management for local communities and ecosystems.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Organic Food
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Forest management certification grew by 18 percent in 2025, reaching a total of 11.2 million hectares across the region. This initiative aims to protect biodiversity and support the livelihoods of people who depend on Africa's 637 million hectares of forest.
Why it matters
Expanding these certifications helps regulate regional climates and secures the rights of Indigenous Peoples who rely on forest resources for their daily survival. The growth reflects an ongoing shift toward integrating land restoration and sustainable financing within the continent's forestry sectors.
Official reports indicate an 18 percent increase in Forest Management Certification, bringing total coverage to 11.2 million hectares. While this reflects significant growth, the long-term ecological outcomes of these specific certified sites remain under continued monitoring.
The players
Forest Stewardship Council
An international non-profit organization that sets standards for responsible forest management.
Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes
A forest product company that became the new certificate holder for Gabonese hectares.
YMCA
A global community organization that partnered to promote environmental awareness through educational games.
The details
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) facilitates these certifications by partnering with organizations like the National Park Agency in Gabon to manage protected areas. Certification works by setting strict standards for land use that prioritize conservation, social responsibility for local communities, and economic sustainability in logging operations. By certifying these tracts, groups like Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes must adhere to these environmental frameworks to ensure forest health.
Timeline
In April 2025, 256,683 hectares were certified in Gabon.
Health Landscape
The expansion follows the established pattern of the Forest Stewardship Council certification standards, which incentivize companies to adopt sustainable harvesting practices. This growth marks a significant regional increase in the formal oversight of forests within the Congo Basin and beyond.
Sustainable forest management directly impacts the regional climate and biodiversity that support human populations. Consumers interested in these environmental impacts can look for certified labels on wood and paper products to support supply chains prioritizing sustainable land health.
The takeaway
Sustainable forest management acts as a crucial buffer for regional climate stability and protects the natural resources that communities depend on. You can support these efforts by verifying product certifications, which serve as a marker for responsible environmental stewardship in the supply chain.
Further reading
Learn more about the environmental standards behind global production in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forestry in South Africa - Forestry in South Africa Business Directory.
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Do you trust international forest certification programs to effectively protect local biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods?
