The French Development Agency and the Network of Central African Forestry and Environmental Training Institutions have signed a €5 million financing agreement, equivalent to about CFA 3.3 billion, to launch the second phase of the ADEFAC programme. The agreement was signed on June 18, 2026, in Yaoundé and will support continuing training in the forestry and wood-processing sector across Central Africa.
The new phase, known as ADEFAC 2, will be implemented over five years with grant funding from France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs through AFD. The programme will now cover six Congo Basin countries: Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
The programme aims to strengthen the skills of stakeholders working across the forestry and wood-processing value chain. Its broader objective is to improve sustainable forest management while supporting the competitiveness of a sector that plays an important economic role in several Central African countries.
ADEFAC 2 builds on the first phase launched in 2020 in Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initial phase helped establish a regional continuing training framework involving training institutions, companies, professional bodies and public administrations.
According to programme data, the first phase created a pool of more than 190 trainers, developed and tested 42 training modules across 14 training centres and institutions, and trained more than 600 learners. These modules covered forestry operations, wood processing, business management, mapping, cost management, nursery operations and technical wood trades.
The second phase is expected to consolidate these achievements while expanding and diversifying training programmes. RIFFEAC said the programme will also strengthen institutional foundations, improve long-term sustainability and better align training with labour market needs.
A major focus of the initiative is to support greater local processing of timber. Several Central African countries are working to reduce raw log exports and increase the value added generated within their own economies. Achieving this goal requires both industrial investment and a skilled workforce capable of supporting modern processing activities.
Continuing training is becoming increasingly important as forestry and wood-processing jobs evolve. Companies now face stronger requirements related to traceability, certification, advanced processing techniques, industrial maintenance, sustainable forest management and compliance with international standards.
Without stronger skills, businesses may struggle to improve productivity, enhance product quality and move higher up the value chain. ADEFAC 2 therefore aims to support both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness by preparing workers and institutions to meet changing industry demands.
AFD said the initiative is strategically important for the future of Congo Basin forests and the communities that depend on them. By investing in skills, the programme seeks to contribute to a forestry and wood-processing sector that is more competitive, creates more jobs and supports sustainable resource management.
The success of the programme will depend on whether training can translate into practical improvements for companies and workers. Expected gains include higher productivity, better quality timber products, reduced losses, increased local processing and stronger workforce integration across the regional forestry sector.
Overall, the CFA 3.3 billion ADEFAC 2 programme represents an important investment in Central Africa’s forestry future. By strengthening training systems and aligning skills with industry needs, the initiative supports sustainable forest management, local economic value creation and long-term resilience in the Congo Basin wood-processing sector.
