The forestry sector in the Republic of Congo plays a key role in the national economy, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and artisans.
However, much of the logging and wood processing in Congo is carried out informally and illegally. This compromises the sustainability of forest resources, deprives the state of revenue, and hinders the professionalization of the sector.
In response to these challenges, the ASP MIB Congo project “Support for the Private Sector in the Domestic Timber Market” aims to structure and enhance the domestic timber value chain by encouraging the use of legal and sustainable timber.
Funded by the European Union Delegation to the tune of €2 million over four years, this project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the timber industry in the Republic of Congo, while supporting forest conservation and job creation.*
Areas of intervention:
Axis 1: Improving sustainable management mechanisms in the timber industry
This product-focused theme aims to strengthen the domestic timber industry in the Republic of Congo by improving stakeholders' knowledge, promoting dialogue, and increasing the visibility of the value chain at the local and international levels.
Axis 2: Strengthening the technical and financial capacities of local stakeholders
The objective of this axis is to improve the technical, operational, and financial skills of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the timber sector.
The beneficiaries of the ASP MIB Congo project are:
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the timber sector
These companies will receive technical training to improve the quality of their products, advice on complying with legal regulations (such as the FLEGT VPA), and easier access to financing to invest in their activities.
Artisans and small businesses that are not members of professional associations
Thanks to the project, these stakeholders will benefit from training in business management and access to financing, as well as opportunities to form cooperatives or associations in order to be more competitive and visible on the domestic market.
Vocational training centers specializing in woodworking trades
The project will support these centers so that they can offer training tailored to the needs of the sector, while improving the quality of teaching and the technical equipment at their disposal.
Professional associations in the wood sector:
These associations, representing artisans, SMEs, and other actors in the sector, will benefit from strengthening in terms of management and advocacy to better defend the interests of their members and promote the local wood sector
Small-scale foresters and local communities
They will receive support in the sustainable management of forest resources, including assistance in obtaining domestic logging permits and training on the value of lesser-known tree species.
Women in the timber industry
The project places particular emphasis on the participation of women, offering them opportunities for training and economic empowerment, which are often limited by social barriers.
Transporters and retailers in the timber industry
The project will support their structuring to improve working conditions, storage, and distribution of legal and sustainable timber.
