Turning Forests into Assets Sustainably.
Gabon holds 88% forest cover, one of the highest in the world, and is turning its natural wealth into an eco-conscious timber industry. The government has banned raw log exports and mandated local processing, helping preserve forest and add value domestically
A Green Industrial Strategy
Special Economic Zones like Nkok SEZ near Libreville now host wood-processing factories that produce plywood, furniture, and flooring for export while enforcing strict forest management standards.
Gabon is one of the few African countries to achieve FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification at scale
Jobs Skills, and Export Revenue
The timber sector now employees over 20,000 people and generates hundred of millions in export earrings. Vocational training centers teach woodworking, design, and machine operation creating high quality manufacturing jobs.
Technology for Traceability
Digital tools track every log from forest to port, ensuring legal sourcing and boosting international buyer confidence. Gabonese wood is now sold across Europe and Asia as a premium, sustainable product.
Profiting from preservation
Gabon’s timber model shows that Africa can protect its biodiversity while generating green growth, positioning the country as a leader in sustainable natural resource management.
