Inaugural Zámba Heritage Congress opens in Nairobi to tackle Africa’s forest conservation crisis

IMAGE/FSC.

By PATRICK MAYOYO

pmayoyo@eyewitness.africa

The highly anticipated Zámba Heritage Congress, a landmark event that will convene global leaders and experts to discuss the future of Africa’s forests kicked-off this morning in Nairobi, Kenya.

Organised by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Africa in partnership with the Government of Kenya, the Congress aims to address the mounting environmental challenges facing the continent’s vital forest ecosystems.

The conference, which runs for three days, brings together key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, including environmental conservationists, climate change specialists, community leaders, as well as state and non-state actors.

The gathering seeks to find sustainable solutions to preserve Africa’s critical forest landscapes, including the Congo Basin’s tropical rainforests, Afro-montane forests, dry woodlands, and peatlands; all of which are vital to global biodiversity, climate stability, and the fight against deforestation.

These ecosystems, which are integral to regulating the planet’s climate, face unparalleled threats from land degradation, illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and increasing socio-economic pressures.

A key feature of the Zámba Heritage Congress is the launch of the Zámba Heritage Action Plan. This comprehensive 10-year roadmap sets ambitious goals to put 30 million hectares of African forests under sustainable management, restore 5 million hectares of degraded land, and unlock $400 million in finance for sustainable forest management (SFM) across the continent.

The Zámba Heritage Initiative, which forms the foundation of the Congress, was conceived by FSC Africa in collaboration with organisations such as The Nature Conservancy and the African Forest Forum. Its core mission is to support African nations in their pursuit of sustainable forest management by facilitating financial flows to the sector and strengthening governance around forest resources.

The Congress also aims to set the stage for post-COP30 initiatives, positioning African forests as a key priority in global climate and biodiversity negotiations. This includes efforts to secure ambitious pledges from governments, investors, and donors, while reinforcing the importance of nature-based solutions, sustainable carbon markets, and biodiversity conservation in the face of Africa’s urgent environmental challenges.

In addition to the strategic discussions, the event will foster stronger partnerships between African nations, conservation organisations, donors, and impact investors, enabling them to mainstream sustainability into intra-Africa trade and global wood-based supply chains.

With an eye on future action, the Zámba Heritage Congress will play a vital role in ensuring that Africa’s forests are not only preserved but are also recognised as critical to both the continent’s development and the global climate agenda.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Congress unfolds over the coming days.