CDC Group (“CDC”), the UK’s development finance institution; Finnfund, the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation; Norfund, the Norwegian Government’s investment fund for developing countries; and New Forests, a global investment manager focusing on sustainable landscapes, have today announced an intention to partner to develop investment strategies designed to scale and transform the sustainable forestry sector in sub-Saharan Africa. This new partnership will aim to raise up to $500 million over the next three to five years in the fight against climate change.
Africa is home to around 17 per cent of the world’s forests, including 20 per cent of all tropical forests. These vital ecosystems are under pressure from biodiversity loss and deforestation, as the continent faces a growing wood products shortage as economies and populations grow. Increasing the sustainability of timber production and improving forestry and landscape management practices is critical in combatting climate change and creating nature-positive outcomes in the region.
The new partnership will aim to provide much-needed capital to:
- Support the development and effective management of sustainable forestry practices, including conservation of remaining natural forests.
- Responsibly expand productive forest plantations, community forests and forest restoration projects across the region.
- Facilitate development of nature-based climate solutions that will help prevent forest loss and preserve Africa’s natural capital.
- Accelerate the creation of green jobs, improve livelihoods, and generate sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
The partnership builds on each organisation’s existing commitments to responsible forestry, bringing together CDC, Finnfund and Norfund’s expertise in investing for development in Africa, with New Forests’ track record in scaling investment and climate finance in forestry into new geographic and market segments.
David Brand, CEO at New Forests shared: “We are excited to partner with like-minded investors in developing a scaled approach to investing in sustainable forestry in Africa. New Forests’ vision is to see the forestry and land use sectors as central to the transition to a sustainable future. As we look towards fulfilling this vision, sub-Saharan Africa must be part of the equation.”
The partnership highlights an ambition by the DFIs to catalyse climate positive investments across Africa in the coming years.
Nick O’Donohoe, CEO of CDC Group, said: “We believe that responsible investment in sustainable forestry will preserve Africa’s rich natural environment and is a key step toward addressing the climate emergency, while bringing prosperity and green jobs to rural communities. As each COP conference demonstrates, co-operation is at the heart of climate action. We’ve already assembled a wealth of expertise to work together and as we develop the partnership, we will be looking to invite other like-minded leaders in the sector to join us.”
Jaakko Kangasniemi, CEO of Finnfund, said: “Sustainable forestry is one key way to curb de-forestation as well as climate change. Investing in responsible forestry companies has long been one of Finnfund’s focus areas. Besides the benefits to nature and climate, forestry can significantly contribute to people’s livelihoods – particularly in Africa. The forestry sector in Africa has enormous growth potential and by partnering with fellow development financiers and New Forests, we believe we can together bring the change needed to unlock that potential.”
Tellef Thorleifsson, CEO of Norfund, said: “We are confident that this partnership will catalyse sustainable growth of the African forestry sector, thereby creating jobs, reducing deforestation and addressing climate change.”
Baemnet Aschenaki, Regional Director East Africa, Partnerships for Forests (P4F), said: “Partnerships for Forests (P4F), a UK FCDO funded programme, will fund the setup of a technical assistance facility to support the long-term environmental and social viability of the investment strategies. It will identify investments with opportunities for smallholders’ inclusion in the business model, as well as ensuring forest protection and landscape restoration activities are incorporated appropriately in the partnership’s target landscapes.”
