Protecting Africa’s rich tropical forests

The Tropical Forest Alliance Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) aims to ensure that Africa’s palm oil sector develops in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable, protecting Africa’s rich tropical forests, whilst bringing economic benefits to the region. The Initiative brings together partners from ten palm-oil-producing countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. All countries are now TFA2020 partners and have developed principles for sustainable oil palm development.

Stakeholders from governments, companies, civil society and indigenous and community groups work at both national and regional levels.Tropical Forest Alliance  Africa Palm Oil Initiative From Principles to Practice: Implementing Deforestation Commitments in Africa

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On a regional level, APOI stakeholders have collectively agreed upon regional principles for responsible palm oil development which place sustainability, transparency, good governance and human rights at the heart of Africa’s growing oil palm industry.

What next for the Africa Palm Oil Initiative?

With all APOI country teams having now developed their national plans, the emphasis will now be on moving forward onto the final implementation phase. The APOI is focused on developing high-impact partnerships to support the delivery of national action plans, as well as developing joint actions with other commodity supply chains – especially cocoa and rubber – in order to push forward the agenda to halt deforestation in West and Central Africa.

The APOI is focused on developing high-impact partnerships to support the delivery of national action plans, as well as developing joint actions with other commodity supply chains – especially cocoa and rubber – in order to push forward the agenda to halt deforestation in West and Central Africa.