Policy forum: Potential options for greening the Concessionary Forestry Business Model in rural Africa

Over the years, the Concessionary Forestry Business Model in Africa has largely driven the production of tangible forest products such as timber. There are concerns, however, that this approach does not include local communities as important stakeholders of the decision-making process. Little regards are also given to environmental sustainability, which would ensure inter-generational equity. This paper develops options for addressing these issues, thereby greening the Concessionary Forestry Business Model in Africa. Firstly, socioeconomic, environmental and technological challenges facing concessionary forestry businesses are discussed by reference to country case studies. The paper then continues to provide the core elements of a greener Concessionary Forestry Business Model, with more emphasis on business infrastructure, value propositions, customer interfaces, and profit models. The paper concludes by examining the necessary policy tools that will promote the integration of eco-innovations into Africa's forestry sector.