- Prunus africana (African cherry) is a highly valuable medicinal tree species distributed across more than 22 African countries where it provides a wide variety of ecosystem services including biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, carbon sequestration in montane forest ecosystems, as well as many products of socioeconomic interest collected from its bark, roots, wood and leaves.
- The anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic properties of its bark extract are used in traditional and conventional medicine for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer and other urinary ailments affecting older men worldwide. Moreover, recent advances in phytochemistry have revealed novel bioactive fractions with potential applications in gastrointestinal oncology, dermatological regeneration, cosmeceuticals and functional food preservatives, thereby broadening opportunities for P. africana-based biopharmaceutical development.
- Europe remains the largest importer of P. africana bark products, while Asia is rapidly expanding its pharmaceutical and herbal integration markets. North America maintains stable demand through supplements and over-the-counter prostate formulations. African markets for P. africana based-medicinal and pharmaceutical products remain very poorly developed.
- To align with the African Union strategy for driving circular nature-based industrialization, some African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda and Kenya are promoting medicinal herbal-based bioeconomy frameworks and biopharmaceutical companies. Such developments are expected to catalyse the African perspectives on a P. africana powered bioeconomy.
- The global market for P. africana products is projected to grow from USD 150 million in 2024 to USD 250 million by 2033, driven by rising demand for herbal medicines and aging populations. The projected innovations in its medicinal applications will certainly add to the current growing trend.
- Due to international trade regulations imposed by the inclusion of the species under CITES Appendix II since 1995, Cameroon has contributed to the development of sustainability measures through institutionalization of Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs), supported by scientific evidence on improved bark harvesting techniques and standards, existing harvestable tree potential, and inclusive management plans. Moreover, domestication and integration into agroforestry, restoration and climate agendas, offer an opportunity to move from a compliance-driven model to a genuinely regenerative bioeconomy.
- The trend in global dry bark exports shows distinct phases tied to trade traffic and regulations as well as CITES quota realignments, with Rwanda, Cameroon, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi supporting nearly 90 percent of the global bark export market.
- Despite persistent challenges, including weak governance, inequitable benefit sharing, climate change, habitat degradation, informal trade and limited local processing capacity, P. africana could become a flagship species for Africa’s regenerative circular bioeconomy if backed by equitable governance, restoration efforts, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical development and community-centred sustainable management.
Tag: Bioeconomy
The potential of tree-based land restoration for rebuilding rural bioeconomy in Africa
There is growing policy and research interest in tree-based restoration across Africa due to widespread land degradation and its negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods. This study synthesizes evidence on how tree-based restoration systems can revitalize degraded landscapes and strengthen rural bioeconomy in Africa. It adopted a narrative literature review method. Findings indicate that these systems contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, with additional adaptation benefits—including improved soil fertility, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural productivity—that vary with factors such as tree species and management practices. Tree-based restoration also supports rural development by providing food, fodder, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products, which can diversify household income, enhance food security, and bolster local energy supplies. However, the outcomes are context-specific, and benefits can be maximized only when appropriate tree systems are established in suitable locations, backed by effective management practices, secure tenure, local knowledge, market access, innovative financing, and enabling policies. Ultimately, tree-based restoration represents not just a solution to land degradation but a strategic pathway for rebuilding resilient rural bioeconomy in Africa.
Tree-powered bioeconomies in Africa
Key Facts
- Africa is a leading producer of six tree commodities: cocoa, shea, cashew, gum arabic, baobab and argan oil. It also contributes to the global supply of several other tree commodities of significance, including coffee, wood, oil palm, rubber, avocados, and dates.
- About 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa can be classified as tree-commodity dependent economies. Seven of them depend on a single tree commodity, while four depend on multiple tree commodities.
- Tree commodities are grown on and occur on more than 100 million hectares of land across the continent.
- Africa captures less than 10% of the global market value for most tree commodities produced.
- Up to 44% of perishable tree fruits, such as mangoes, avocados, oranges and other citrus species, are lost annually across many countries on the continent.
- Forestry contributes more than 10% of the formal gross domestic product (GDP) in about 11 African countries.
- Wood demand in Africa is expected to triple by 2050.
- An estimated 5,400 plant species and 16,000 medicinal applications have been documented in Africa, with the potential to serve as building blocks to supply part of the USD 50 billion-a-year pharmaceutical market on the continent with biopharmaceuticals.
- Africa’s middle class could grow to 40% of the continent’s population by 2060, potentially fuelling demand for high-value tree bioeconomy products and trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Only three holistic national bioeconomy policies exist in Africa (South Africa, Namibia and Ethiopia) and one regional bioeconomy strategy (the East African Community). Meanwhile, 13 countries have relevant indirect strategies and policies.
Plant fibres for the European Union: Building a sustainable and resilient bioeconomy
Plant fibres represent a renewable and versatile alternative to conventional materials like glass fibre, polyester, wood pulp and mineral wool across key sectors, including automotive, construction, textiles, and packaging. When cultivated and processed responsibly, they can also make a meaningful contribution to the EU’s climate neutrality and biodiversity objectives. Yet, the broader adoption of plant fibres remains limited by challenges such as inconsistent supply, insufficient processing infrastructure, variable product performance, and strong price competition with conventional materials.
This working paper presents an overview of the current plant fibre production landscape in the EU, outlining production volumes, provenance, environmental benefits, and key industrial applications. It examines the potential to scale plant fibre use within the bioeconomy through four main dimensions: the economic viability of fibre supply, comparative price assessment, product performance and impact data, and traceability systems.
By integrating insights on environmental impacts with economic and market analysis, the paper provides practical guidance for researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers. Its findings and recommendations aim to support the development of more resilient, competitive, and sustainable plant fibre value chains that advance the EU’s bioeconomy transition.
Indicators for sustainable bioeconomy: Towards building a monitoring and assessment framework
Bioeconomy holds great promise for transforming how we live, produce, and share resources, with people and the planet at the heart of development. But this potential will not be fulfilled without clear metrics of what counts as sustainable bioeconomy and how it can be monitored and assessed. They must also empower all stakeholders – policymakers, businesses, investors, researchers, communities – to steward biological resources responsibly and ensure that their benefits are equitably shared. This publication introduces a prioritization approach and an accompanying database. They are an important step toward filling this gap, offering a wide and comprehensive range of indicators that users can draw from in ways that are in line with their own strategies and targets and connected to global ambitions such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The G20 High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy are our starting point for assessing and categorizing bioeconomy-relevant indicators drawn from a range of sources across three broad categories (territories, products and value chains, and business and sectoral indicators). The FAO Aspirational Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Bioeconomy allow to identify indicators that cover similar sustainability issues. While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ set of indicators, the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability as well as good governance principles should be all covered at least once to keep the number of indicators to a manageable yet representative number. A more robust foundation for evidence-based decision-making can lead to improved policy coherence and sustained investment in inclusive, resilient, and sustainable bioeconomy development.
Early-stage sustainability assessment of greywater treatment with Moringa oleifera seed extract and biochar
Access to safe and reliable water remains a significant challenge in much of the Global South, especially in rural areas where greywater treatment infrastructure is lacking. This study presents an early-stage sustainability assessment of a novel system that utilises biochar and Moringa oleifera seed extracts to treat greywater in rural Kenyan households. The proposed solution combines local biochar, a by-product of wood gasification cookstoves, and powdered Moringa oleifera seed cake, a residue from local agroforestry activities. The presented assessment applied a qualitative approach that integrates life cycle, circular bioeconomy, and sustainable sanitation principles. The key sustainability opportunities involved in the assessed system include improved human health and hygiene, the carbon sequestration potential of biochar, greywater reuse, and efficient use of local biomass resources. However, the system also involves risks related to filter media disposal, nutrient loss and system maintenance. The analysis highlights the trade-offs between using Moringa oleifera seed cake for water purification and animal feed. Moreover, the early-stage assessment identifies the need for pilot trials, participatory design and data collection to develop future life cycle analyses and implementation strategies. This integrated approach provides a sound basis for the sustainable development of natural greywater treatment systems that meet the goals of a circular bioeconomy.
Mzee Mukoko’s legacy of regenerative farming
At 82, Mzee Mika Mukoko has transformed his modest two-acre farm in Vihiga County, Kenya, into an inspiring example of farmer-led agroecological innovation. A former wildlife conservationist trained in organic farming at the Rodale Institute (US), Mukoko blends traditional wisdom with modern science to create a lighthouse for regenerative agriculture. His farm demonstrates how smallholder farmers can achieve ecological resilience, economic viability, and community empowerment on limited land.
The foundation of his system is soil restoration. Mukoko produces biochar from crop residues and animal bones, crafts nutrient-rich Terra Preta compost, and applies fermented liquid fertilizers to revive degraded soils. For pest management, he deploys plant-based biopesticides, raised planting mounds for mole control and drainage, and diversified polycultures to maintain ecosystem balance. Space-efficient designs, including floating gardens, vertical cropping, and integrated multi-story systems, maximize yields while conserving biodiversity. These innovations have attracted over 25 bird species, boosted pollinator populations, and improved soil resilience to climate extremes.
Mukoko applies circular bioeconomy principles, turning farm outputs into value-added products for local markets, reducing waste, and extending shelf life. His mentorship of women, youth, and fellow farmers ensures the transfer of agroecological skills, building local capacity for sustainable food systems. By connecting grassroots ingenuity with science, policy, and investment, Mzee Mukoko’s work offers a compelling model for climate-resilient, inclusive, and regenerative food systems, safeguarding agroecological heritage for future generations.
Gender responsive resource recovery and reuse (RRR) in refugee settings in Africa – for food, energy, and climate resilience
Sub-Saharan Africa, hosts about a third of the global refugee population. The refugee population is disproportionately women and children. Refugees are hosted in fragile arid ecosystems and increase the pressure on resources resulting in land degradation and conflict. Building knowledge and skills of refugee and host communities can shift the paradigm from ‘land degradation’ to ‘land restoration and resilient livelihoods’.
The Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) in Refugee Settlements in Africa project was implemented in 2019-2023 in six refugee camps and settlements and their surrounding host communities in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. The aim of the project was to enhance the resilience of these communities by introducing and implementing RRR innovations researched by CGIAR Centers, including the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), and the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and offer innovative solutions for enhanced food and energy security from a circular bioeconomy perspective.
Optimizing the role of planted forests in the bioeconomy
The concept of a biobased economy has emerged in response to growing societal concerns about sustainable resource use, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil-based and non-renewable materials while minimizing environmental impacts. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from material production have surged from 5 gigatonnes of CO₂-equivalent (GtCO₂-eq) in 1995 to 11.5 GtCO₂-eq in 2015, accounting for 23% of global GHG emissions. In contrast, the global harvested wood products pool served as a net carbon sink of 335 million tonnes CO₂-equivalent (MtCO₂-eq) in 2015. Driven by population and economic growth, raw material consumption is expected to rise by 88%—from 89 gigatonnes in 2017 to 167 gigatonnes by 2060—while biomass demand will increase by 68%, primarily for wood rather than food and feed. However, shifting demand toward bioproducts alone is insufficient; sustainable production and sourcing of biomass must also be prioritized to ensure a truly sustainable bioeconomy. Future biomass production must align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets to halt deforestation, reverse land degradation, and protect primary ecosystems by 2030.
Natural resources management for resilient inclusive rural transformation
Increasing land and water scarcity, unequal distribution and competition over resource use, land degradation and biodiversity loss, exacerbated by climate change, question the capacity of current models of agriculture growth to sustain inclusive resilient rural development. This paper invites to integrate in rural development policies and investment a focus on sustainable, inclusive and adaptive management of natural resources. It combines a conceptual framework based on scientific literature with illustrative examples enriched by the perspectives of the experts participating in two workshops. It proposes 4 key pathways (resource efficiency, systems diversification, sustainable bioeconomy, and landscape approaches) to achieve more inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.