Forests
Protecting and Restoring Africa’s Forests and Landscapes
Forests are the backbone of most communities in Africa. They provide food, medicines, wood and employment, and play a critical role in the fight against climate change. However, Africa’s forests are rapidly shrinking: According to Global Forest Watch, countries across Africa are losing nearly 3 million hectares of primary forest every year. Since 1950, 65% of the continent’s land has been affected by degradation, and 3% of GDP is lost annually from soil and nutrient depletion on croplands. At this rate, Africa will struggle to feed its young and growing population and adapt to climate change.
Illegal logging has particularly devastating impacts for African forests and communities. Despite its impacts, the trade of illegal timber remains one of the most pervasive types of environmental crime.
Our vision to conserve and restore forests and other natural landscapes for benefits as diverse as cultural identity, livelihoods, water security, wood supply, biodiversity and carbon capture
WRI is a managing partner of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), a country-led effort that aims to bring 100 million hectares of land into restoration by 2030. Through AFR100, our approach is to:
- Provide high-quality data and analyses to inform landscape restoration and forest protection efforts.
- Create effective partnerships among entrepreneurs, policymakers, community organizations, local stakeholders and funders to accelerate the transformation of African landscapes.
- Prevent illegal logging and ensure sustainable forest use. We aim to create a more transparent forest sector by improving access and availability of data and information about forests and forest-risk commodity supply chains.
Initiatives
Restore Local
Visit ProjectAccelerating locally led land restoration across Africa’s vital landscapes
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationThe Land Accelerator
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectA curated network and accelerator program for entrepreneurs who restore degraded forests and farmland
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationAfrican Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectRestoring 100 million hectares of deforested and degraded land in Africa by 2030.
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationTerraMatch
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectTerraMatch connects local land restoration champions to capital and technical assistance through a trusted online system that vets their work, supports their growth, and monitors their progress.
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationThe Landscape Policy Accelerator
Visit ProjectInspiring, innovating and streamlining policies to restore land for people and nature.
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationThe Landscape Monitoring Accelerator
Visit ProjectSupporting the use of cutting-edge technology to track restoration and land use planning efforts
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationOpen Timber Portal
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectThe Open Timber Portal (OTP) promotes compliance with legal requirements in timber harvest and trade by compiling information from governments, private sector and third-party forest monitors in producer countries.
Part of Forest LegalityForest Atlases
Visit ProjectThe Forest Atlases are online platforms that help countries better manage their forest resources by combining government data with the latest forest monitoring technology.
Part of ForestsGlobal Forest Watch
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectOffering the latest data, technology and tools that empower people everywhere to better manage and protect forest landscapes.
Part of Forests