State of the Forests 2025: The Forests of the East and Southern Africa

This publication offers a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the status, trends and governance of forests across Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda. Drawing on regional data, national forest inventories, geospatial analyses and policy reviews, the report examines how forests continue to underpin livelihoods, economies, biodiversity and climate resilience – while facing mounting pressure from deforestation, degradation and competing land uses.
The report explores key dimensions shaping the region’s forest landscapes, including forest typologies and ownership regimes; timber production and markets; REDD+ progress and challenges; legal and policy frameworks; community forestry; sustainable woodfuel management; wild meat trade; women’s rights and participation; and forest monitoring, data management and sharing. Across these themes, the report highlights both persistent gaps and emerging opportunities for more inclusive, effective and sustainable forest governance.
Beyond documenting trends, this report serves as a practical resource for decision makers. It identifies technical and policy options to strengthen sustainable forest management, improve institutional coordination, enhance community participation, and align national actions with regional and global commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals. Produced as a flagship output of the EU-funded East and Southern Africa Forest Observatory (OFESA) project, this volume reflects the collective expertise of researchers, government agencies, civil society organisations and regional institutions. It is intended to inform policy dialogue, guide investment and support collaborative action to safeguard forests as critical ecological, social and economic assets for present and future generations in East and Southern Africa.

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This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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