Timber Trade and Poverty Alleviation in the Upper Great Lakes Region

Summary

This study was undertaken within the context of the UK Department for International Development’s (DFID) programme on the trade in natural resources from the DRC. The programme is based on the premise that the country cannot derive value from natural resources until they are sold on international markets in a regulated and transparent way.

As part of a consortium of NGOs, Forests Monitor - together with our local partner in DRC, Reseau CREF; Earthsight working in Uganda and Southern Sudan; and Green Solutions in Uganda - lead the study on the timber trade in the Upper Great Lakes region to assess how it can be influenced to improve governance of timber resources and contribute more to poverty alleviation. Other members of the consortium studying different natural resources were the POLE Institute, INICA and PACT, who are dealing with mining in the region but who have also shared information and their knowledge of the forest sector.

There is anecdotal evidence of ongoing activity in the region of the Eastern DRC and Southern Sudan, this amidst continued ambiguity concerning forest legislation in both countries. There is a risk that the revenue generated from this potentially lucrative industry is supporting or re-fuelling the region's conflict.

In order to prepare for the transition to a clear, just and workable framework for the forests sector, a review of the current actors in the sector and regional and international trade routes is required. Our project will identify the points of dysfunction and gaps in the current trade activities.

Sound economic, statistical and political analysis will provide a firm basis for policy recommendations to increase the contribution of the timber trade to sustainable development. To conclude our work on this project, we will be making recommendations concerning timber trade mechanisms and production systems that could lead to an increased contribution to poverty alleviation.

The report on this project is now complete, Timber Trade and Poverty Alleviation in the Upper Great Lakes Region is available in Pdf form, from here.

Le rapport est également disponible en français:Commerce du bois et réduction de la pauvreté, Région des Grand Lacs (PDF).

Please visit the links below for background information to the main report:

Visit the links below for background information to the main report:

Description of the Timber Sector in the DRC

Impacts of Charcoal and Fuel Wood Use in the Goma Region

Overview of Sub-regional Conflicts, Upper Great Lakes Region

Value Chain for DRC Mahogany sold in Kampala and in Nairobi

Notes on Sources and Method of Collection of Figures Presented in the Report

This project was made possible through the support of the UK Department For International Development