The African Forest Forum (AFF), in collaboration with the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Champions for Africa Initiative, will convene a High-Level Business and Philanthropic Leaders Roundtable on 08 September 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria. The invitation-only executive dialogue will focus on mobilising strategic partnerships and catalytic investment for Africa’s future forest.
The Roundtable will bring together senior government leaders, business executives, philanthropists, development finance institutions, impact investors and strategic partners. Together, participants will explore opportunities to invest in Africa’s forest economy and advance sustainable forest management, landscape restoration, biodiversity conservation and forest-based development.
Mobilising investment for Africa’s forests
Africa’s forests are among the continent’s greatest strategic assets. They cover approximately 637 million hectares, about 16% of the world’s forest area—and support the livelihoods of more than 400 million people. The continent also has approximately 446 million hectares of other wooded land, representing nearly 31% of the world’s wooded landscapes.
Forests are also an important economic asset. They support timber and non-timber forest products, nature-based tourism, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, climate-smart agriculture and other emerging areas of the green bioeconomy.
Yet this potential remains significantly underfinanced.
Africa continues to lose nearly four million hectares of forests each year due to deforestation, land degradation, unsustainable land use, climate change and chronic underinvestment in sustainable forest management. This is not only an environmental challenge. It also represents a significant lost economic and development opportunity.
Unlocking this potential requires a shift from fragmented project financing towards long-term, catalytic investment. This means bringing governments, private capital, philanthropy and development finance institutions together around a shared vision for sustainable forest management and green growth.
The African Forestry Trust Fund
At the centre of the dialogue will be the African Forestry Trust Fund (AFTF), the flagship financing mechanism being established by AFF under the Sustainable Forest Management Champions for Africa Initiative.
With support from the African Union Commission and other strategic partners, the AFTF is designed to mobilise catalytic capital for sustainable forest management, landscape restoration, biodiversity conservation, forest-based enterprises and green jobs. It will also strengthen African ownership of forestry financing.
The Roundtable will present the vision, investment case and funding architecture of the AFTF. It will also provide an opportunity to explore financial commitments, co-financing and strategic partnerships with the private sector and philanthropic community.
The Fund’s investment priorities include sustainable forest management, landscape restoration, forest conservation and biodiversity, forest-based industrialisation, women and youth employment and rural livelihoods, and research and capacity building. These areas offer opportunities to generate economic value while contributing to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, employment creation and improved livelihoods.
From dialogue to action
The Roundtable is designed to move beyond traditional fundraising. Its focus is on building long-term collaboration and co-investment between the public and private sectors. Participants will explore opportunities to:
- mobilise financial pledges and co-financing for the African Forestry Trust Fund;
- develop strategic partnerships for forest-based value chains and green industrialisation;
- support investment in forest restoration, sustainable forestry and biodiversity enterprises;
- create opportunities for youth employment and rural livelihoods; and
- build a private-sector coalition committed to forest-positive business practices across Africa.
The dialogue will also seek to develop a pipeline of investable forest projects and strengthen partnerships capable of translating Africa’s forest potential into sustainable economic and social impact.
The Roundtable marks an important step towards mobilising the investment needed to unlock Africa’s forest economy. By bringing together leaders from business, philanthropy, government and development finance, AFF seeks to advance an African-led financing platform that can turn forest opportunities into lasting economic, environmental and social impact.
For more information, contact:
Tefera Endalamaw
Resource Mobilization and Development Officer, AFF