29.05.2026
On 8 October 2025, Ghana became the first country in Africa to issue FLEGT licences. At CIB 2026, it arrives at the Carrefour with its first official commercial delegation — ready to meet European buyers with a guarantee that very few timber-exporting countries in the world can offer.
For the first time in the fair's history, an official Ghanaian trade delegation is participating in the Carrefour International du Bois. The milestone behind this presence is significant: after more than sixteen years of institutional reform and on-the-ground work under the EU–Ghana FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement, Ghana became the first African country to issue FLEGT licences on 8 October 2025 — and only the second in the world after Indonesia.
Ghana's commercial presence at the fair takes two forms. A dedicated Ghana Corner is integrated into the ATIBT stand (I27, Hall XXL) across all three days, showcasing the delegation's species, products and companies: the Ghana Timber Mills Organization (representing over 500 companies), Samartex Timber & Plywood, SUNSTEX Timber, Logs and Lumber Limited, SUHUMA-JCM, LOGS COURT, Furnart Ghana and Tekura Enterprise Ltd.
The centrepiece of this presence is the EU–Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum, held on Tuesday 2 June from 14:00 to 16:00 in Canopée 1. The programme covers the European tropical timber market outlook — demand trends, EUDR and CITES requirements, prospects for FLEGT-licensed timber — the first operational year of FLEGT licensing reviewed by the Ghana Forestry Commission (GFC), and a panel moderated by FAO on EU–Ghana collaboration in forest plantation development, including smart forestry technologies presented by AFRY. Ghanaian companies will deliver mini-pitches before an open Q&A, followed by a facilitated B2B matchmaking session with cocktail from 16:00 to 18:30.
The commercial significance is concrete. Ghana FLEGT licences constitute a presumption of EUDR compliance, attesting that timber is legal, fully traceable from forest to port, and sourced in accordance with national law. The EU is currently Ghana's largest export market for value-added wood products, with nearly €26 million in trade in 2024. Teak, lesser-known timber species and other Ghanaian products will be showcased throughout the fair at the Ghana Corner.
EU–Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum: Tuesday 2 June · 14:00–16:00 · Canopée 1, Hall XXL
B2B Matchmaking & Cocktail: 16:00–18:30 · Ghana Corner: ATIBT Stand I27, Hall XXL · All three days
Partners: EU FLEGT VPA Programme (funded by European Commission DG INTPA, implemented by AFD), EticWood/Nature+, FAO FLEGT Facility, Probos, Ghana Forestry Commission
