Zámba Heritage concludes in Nairobi with a landmark declaration for Africa’s forests

The inaugural Zámba Heritage Congress concluded with 14 participating governments committing to restore forests and collaborate on mobilizing resources to bring 30 million hectares under sustainable forest management. 

Convened by FSC in partnership with the Government of Kenya, the Congress brought together more than 200 participants representing over 25 nationalities from 10-12 February in Nairobi, Kenya – including ministers and senior forestry officials from 14 African countries, regional institutions, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, civil society, researchers, and the private sector. 

The Nairobi Declaration: a moral and political commitment 

The Zámba Heritage Nairobi Declaration was adopted by African ministers and national authorities at the conclusion of the Congress, formalizing a commitment to mobilize approximately USD 400 million for responsible forest management, restoration, and value-added forest industrialisation across Africa. 

In addition, FSC will set over USD 11 million of its own funds to support companies that will be willing to take up certification. 

Strategic partnerships 

In a defining moment of the closing session, Dr. Peter O. Alele, Regional Director of FSC Africa, announced formal partnerships that move Zámba from concept to implementation. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were confirmed with: 

• National Park Agency of Gabon: A pilot national park certification initiative; 
• Omar Bongo University, Gabon: Capacity building and academic collaboration; 
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Sustainable forest management project development in the Congo Basin; 
• Liberia: Formally communicated its support and intention to endorse the Zámba Heritage Action Plan following internal review. 

The MoU between FSC Africa and The Nature Conservancy will advance sustainable forest management and climate focused forest conservation across Africa.  Effective through 2030, this partnership will provide a framework for the two organizations to scale efforts that protect forests, reduce emissions, restore degraded landscapes, and support sustainable livelihoods. 

Initial efforts will concentrate on the Congo Basin particularly Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo where both organizations are working with governments, forest managers, and communities to strengthen oversight of forest resources and transition toward management models that deliver measurable climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic benefits. 

FSC Africa and the Gabon National Parks Agency will formalize their partnership agreement in March 2026, enabling the certification of 13 national parks covering 3 million hectares. 

From commitment to action 

Framing the Congress as a shift from policy to implementation, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, opened with the country’s national ambition: “Kenya is not waiting. Under our national 15 billion trees growing programme, we have set ambitious, measurable targets that honour our global, regional and national commitments on environmental sustainability. We have backed ambition with policy: clear frameworks to increase forest and tree cover in line with the AFR100 Initiative on forest landscape restoration.” 
 
 Kenya has designated four forest blocks around the Aberdare Range – approximately 65,000 hectares – to pilot certification, and Kenya now leads Eastern Africa in chain-of-custody certification. 

“I reaffirm Kenya’s unwavering support for the Zámba Heritage Initiative,” she added.  

Echoing this commitment, Dr. Rosalie Matondo, Minister of Forest Economy of the Republic of Congo, highlighted the alignment between national policy and the broader initiative: “The Republic of Congo is committed to FSC because we believe it helps us achieve the three pillars of development: economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and protection of the rights of Indigenous communities and local populations. Congo enthusiastically welcomes this initiative, which aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. We fully support this pan-African initiative.” 

Dr. Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment in Zambia, underscored certification as a national priority: “We are here to explore opportunities for FSC to certify our forests, which will strengthen the integrity of our carbon credits.” 

Moving beyond national commitments, Dr. Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Director General, emphasised the global stakes of the initiative: “Together, we forge a legacy where forests do not just survive but thrive – because protecting Africa’s forests is an investment the world cannot afford to delay.” 

For more information, read daily summary blogs below:  

Day 1: Zámba Heritage Congress opens in Nairobi with a continental commitment to transform Africa’s forest future Read more 

Day 2: From trade to treasure — structuring Africa’s forest economy Read more 

Day 3: Commitments sealed: people, systems, and a continental mandate Read more