Doris Mutta
Project Overview
Africa hosts rich forest ecosystems and tree resources which play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, supporting livelihoods and economic development. Increasing socio-ecological pressures on these ecosystems, however, impact their biophysical resilience and long-term sustainability. In this context, the project addresses current and emerging environmental issues — specifically climate change, evidenced by increasing incidences of extreme climatic events, degradation of forest and tree-based landscapes, and growing interest in renewable energy resources.
On socio-economic development, the focus is on food security, conservation of cultural heritage, limited understanding of the value chains of biodiversity products and services, their full market potential, socio-economic impacts, and investment opportunities, alongside increasing demand for sustainable tree-based energy. The project leverages existing opportunities for green transition and AFF's knowledge brokerage approaches for science-policy-practice to improve forest management and institutional transformation.
Project Goal & Implementation
The overall objective is to ensure sustainability of AFF for continued generation and sharing of knowledge that enhances management of forests and trees outside forests, in the context of climate change, for improved human wellbeing and environmental protection in Africa. The expected outcome is improved management of forested landscapes and biodiversity for enhanced social and climate resilience in Africa.
Through the project, AFF seeks to influence and facilitate governmental and non-governmental organisations and individual stakeholders to take actions that lead to improved management of forested landscapes and biodiversity. It has four project components:
- Biodiversity management and conservation for enhanced social and biophysical resilience
- Renewable energy in forest biodiversity hotspots
- Knowledge management and information sharing
- Transforming AFF for sustainability
Programme Areas
Key thematic focus areas supported under this project
Contribution to AFF Enablers
- Knowledge Management, Communication and Impact Assessment:
The project strengthens knowledge sharing on management of forest biodiversity and tree resources through traditional and new communication approaches. - Partnership, Resourcing and Investment:
The project strengthens AFF's partnership portfolio at the national, regional and global levels while diversifying its sources of funding. - Capacity Strengthening and Skills Development:
The project builds the capacity of stakeholders to manage forest landscapes and biodiversity more effectively.
Target Groups
Global & Continental Alignment
Global Frameworks
- United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Latest Updates
News and blog posts tagged to this project
The 2026 IUFRO Small-Scale Forestry and Forest History and Traditional Knowledge Joint Conference
The IUFRO Working Groups will hold a joint conference in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21–23 July 2026.
Read More
Press Release: Africa's Forests at a Crossroads
AFF research reveals pathways to green transformation amid rising pressures across Africa's forest biodiversity hotspots.
AFF Strengthens Science-Policy Engagement Through National Policy Dialogues
AFF convened national policy dialogues in Nigeria and Madagascar to align forest governance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and national biodiversity frameworks.
Communities of Practice Drive Journey Towards Forest Positive Agriculture
Over 330 participants from 25 African countries convened for a Community of Practice webinar on strengthening sustainable agricultural solutions for halting deforestation.
AFF hosted a 5-day Regional Information Sharing Webinar (8–12 June 2026) bringing together stakeholders from across Africa to share knowledge on sustainable forest and biodiversity management.
AFF and Nigeria's CBD Focal Point Convene National Policy Dialogue on Forest Biodiversity
AFF partnered with Nigeria's CBD Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment to strengthen integration of forestry into national biodiversity governance frameworks.
Knowledge Products
Resources and publications produced under this project
