The forests of Central Africa are globally significant both for biodiversity and for human well-being. The region harbours the world’s second largest rainforest, as well as other important forest ecosystems. It is also home to a range of unique animals. These include the okapi, the bongo and the bonobo. Many of its identified plants are endemic species. Products from these forests are critical to the daily livelihoods of millions of people, especially the poor and marginalised.

Due to the uncontrolled exploitation of forest resources, poor governance and the extinction of some plant and animal species, the income and food supplies of forest dependent communities are under threat. The future of these communities is also endangered by climate change.

In recognition of the vital link between sustainable forest use and community wellbeing, CIFOR devotes 40 per cent of its research budget to Sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses its activities in and around the Congo Basin. This dense tropical rainforest is home to the Pygmy ethnic groups and stretches across Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Forest governance, resource management and environmental services are key research areas for this region.

CIFOR’s research in Central Africa operates from its regional office in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Contact

CIFOR Regional Office for Central Africa
C/o IITA Humid Forest Eco-Regional Center
B.P. 2008, Messa, Yaoundé.Cameroon
Tel: +237 22 22 74 49/ 22 22 74 51
Fax: +237 22 22 74 50
E-mail: cifor.cameroon@cgiar.org