Open Knowledge (FSC OK)

There is a limited awareness and capacity, and hence slow update of forest certification in Africa. The study assessed the status of Forest Certification (FC) in the Eastern and Southern Africa sub-regions. Data on the types of certificates, number and forest areas certified, and past and on-going efforts on FC in the sub-regions of Eastern and Southern Africa were gathered through literature review and stakeholders' consultation. Data were analysed using qualitative methods and A'WOT quantitative analysis, which is a combination of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analyses. Results showed that the initiatives for promotion of FC in the sub- regions are empirically apparent but low. The forest covers in the sub-regions were around 225 and 222 million ha for the eastern and southern Africa sub-regions, respectively. For Eastern and Southern Africa, the total area certified was 242,000 ha and 1.563 million ha, respectively. Generally, the FC has not yet taken strong root in the sub-regions due to inadequate financial, physical and human capacities.