Eastern and Southern Africa is home to diverse forest ecosystems which include natural forests, dry tropical forest types (miombos, Acacia, Combretum) and plantation forests. The dry tropical forests, including woodlands, savannah and steppe formations, are the most widespread and are located in areas dominated by subsistence agriculture and rangelands which support large numbers of livestock. Pressure on these forests due to agricultural expansion, increased fuelwood collection and livestock grazing is heavy in many places. The industrial plantations contribute variously to national gross domestic products of some of the countries. CIFOR’s engagement in the region focuses on the human-environment interface with a special emphasis on how forest resources can be used to alleviate poverty and how to promote good forest governance and community participation in forestry management.

The Harare office oversees projects in Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The office maintains presence in most countries through a network of partners who include forestry departments, other relevant government agencies, universities, NGOs, and CGIAR centers and individual consultants. The Zambia Office hosts the Dry Forest Project Team.

Visit CIFOR’s new Eastern & Southern Africa Web Site