African Forest Forum

What African Forest Forum does

African Forest Forum (AFF) is a pan-African, membership-based non-profit association registered as an NGO in Nairobi, Kenya on December 6, 2007. The organization serves as a convening and knowledge-brokerage platform for African forestry stakeholders, providing science-based advocacy, policy advice, capacity building, and information sharing on the sustainable management of forests and tree resources. Its stakeholder base spans national, regional, and international policymakers; farmers and rural communities; the private forestry and trade sector; the research and education community; and conservation-focused NGOs, with members and activities covering more than 50 African countries.

AFF's core offerings include a Training Compendiums Series covering forest-based climate change adaptation and mitigation, a Policy Database linking to global forestry information resources, a Publications Repository of scientific works, the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) youth engagement programme, and seven thematic Programme Areas covering forest management, capacity building, environmental health, food security, economic development, information management, and governance. Active projects extend across REDD+ strengthening, intra-African timber trade, EUDR compliance for youth, and non-timber forest products. Distribution occurs through free online publication downloads, membership-based access, national and regional policy dialogues, webinars, and partnerships with regional economic communities (SADC, ECOWAS, EAC) and global institutions.

The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Primary revenue comes from core institutional grants provided by development partners — Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) since 2008 and SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) since 2010 — supplemented by membership contributions and project-restricted funding. Governance is provided by a Governing Council that includes representatives from FAO, ITTO, COMIFAC, and CIFOR-ICRAF, with the secretariat hosted at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi.

Name

African Forest Forum

Legal name

African Forest Forum

Website

https://afforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

African Forest Forum is a pan-African, membership-based non-profit association registered in Kenya that convenes forestry stakeholders across 50+ African countries through policy dialogues, training compendiums, publications, and advocacy on sustainable forest management, funded primarily by Sida and SDC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forestry Policy and Advocacy

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF)

Keywords

• Sustainable forest management
• Forest policy advocacy
• Capacity building forestry
• Environmental knowledge sharing
• REDD+ implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Development Partner Funding: AFF relies heavily on external funding from development partners including Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). Initial grant from Sida in 2008 enabled setup as a platform for African forestry stakeholders.
2. Membership Contributions: AFF is an association of individuals with commitment to sustainable management of Africa's forest and tree resources. Members pay membership fees and contribute to the organization's activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

African Forest Forum is a pan-African, membership-based non-profit platform that provides knowledge products, policy advice, capacity building, training compendiums, publications, and advocacy services to support sustainable forest management across Africa. It convenes stakeholders across 50+ African countries through its Governing Council, Members Forum, Secretariat, and partnerships with global organizations such as FAO, UNEP, UNFF, ICRAF, CIFOR, ITTO, COMIFAC, and AUC.

Product overview

The African Forest Forum (AFF) operates as a pan-African platform organization rather than a single product company. AFF provides a suite of knowledge products and programmes focused on sustainable forest management across Africa. The core offerings include: a comprehensive Training Compendiums Series covering climate change adaptation/mitigation for forestry professionals; a Policy Database linking to external forest resources and databases; a Publications Repository of scientific works; the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) youth engagement programme; seven thematic Programme Areas addressing forest management, capacity building, environmental health, food security, economic development, information management, and governance; Impact Stories documenting outcomes; and various Ongoing Projects on REDD+, timber trade, and deforestation-free value chains. These products collectively support evidence-based sustainable forestry across the continent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Training Compendiums Series A series of structured training resources in sustainable forest management, designed for forestry professionals, researchers, students, and policy practitioners across Africa.
• Policy Database An online repository of forest- and environment-related policies from across Africa, used by policymakers, researchers, and advocates to inform sustainable forest management decisions.
• Publications Repository A digital library of AFF-authored publications, working papers, and knowledge products on sustainable forest management, available to members and the wider public.
• AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) Programme A flagship youth engagement programme that mobilizes young Africans around sustainable forest management, advocacy, and capacity building.
• AFF Members Forum A membership platform offering individual Africans a formal channel to participate in AFF's governance, knowledge activities, and continental network on sustainable forest management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Training compendiums used across 30+ African countries for capacity building in climate-smart forestry
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA meeting place for the green sector. Works with issues relating to agriculture, horticulture, food, forestry and forest products. The Forestry Section deals with silviculture and utilization of forest resources.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO sits on the AFF Governing Council and has collaborated with AFF on Forest-Climate Change theme. The African Forestry Wildlife Commission (AFWC) is one of six Regional Forestry Commissions established by FAO.
• Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to convene National Policy Dialogue to Advance Deforestation-Free Green Value Chains in Ethiopia. Collaborative initiative on sustainable agriculture and forestry.
• World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRAF hosts the AFF Secretariat and collaboration is ongoing on multiple levels and themes. Part of CGIAR alliance dedicated to generating knowledge for agricultural growth and environmental sustainability.
• Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing the 2026 IUFRO Small-Scale Forestry Conference at KEFRI Headquarters in Nairobi. Collaborates on forestry research activities.
• Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector of Africa CIFOR-ICRAF sits on the AFF Governing Council. Good progress in relations with ongoing collaboration on forestry research.
• International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director of ITTO sits on AFF Governing Council. MoU at advanced stage paving way for wide range of collaboration. ITTO promotes conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests.
• United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNFF is a subsidiary body promoting management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. AFF participates in UNFF sessions and multi-stakeholder dialogues.
• United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU at final stage with UNEP. UNEP acts as catalyst for wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. UNEP Regional Office for Africa coordinates programme work.
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration ongoing on IDRC funded Climate Change Adaptation project. ECA promotes economic and social development of African member States.
• East African Community (EAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional intergovernmental organization of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. AFF works on forestry policy harmonization with RECs.
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSADC is a regional community working on economic integration. Substantial progress made in partnership with SADC on forestry issues.
• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional group of fifteen countries promoting economic integration. Substantial progress made in partnership with ECOWAS on forestry matters.
• Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOMIFAC sits in the AFF Governing Council. Primary authority for decision-making and coordination on Congo Basin forests conservation and sustainable management.
• African Union Commission (AUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental body of 55 member states. AFF's work aligns with Africa's Agenda 2063 and AU's vision for integrated development.
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) virtual community and conference. Collaboration on empowering youth in sustainable forestry.
• African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resource Education (ANAFE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 134 educational institutions in 36 African countries. Hosted at ICRAF headquarters in Nairobi. Works on strengthening teaching of multi-disciplinary approaches to land management.
• Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFF has actively participated in FARA's major events since 2009. FARA coordinates agricultural research across sub-regional organizations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: US-based global conservation NGO with significant Africa forest programmes. Comparable non-profit, donor-funded model working on forest conservation, sustainable landscapes, and policy — broader geographic and thematic scope than AFF.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Global non-profit that sets forestry standards and certifies products. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder membership organization influencing forest management — but operates via commercial certification fees rather than donor grants.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global membership-based conservation organization with a strong Africa portfolio. Comparable as a similarly structured international NGO with membership dues, donor funding, and policy advocacy — but IUCN's scope is much broader than forestry alone.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Africa: Global conservation NGO with large Africa operations and similar donor-funded non-profit model. Overlaps with AFF on forest conservation advocacy and convening, but WWF's brand and funding base are substantially larger and more diversified.
• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization operating programs like Global Forest Watch. Comparable in publishing independent analysis and policy advice on forests, with similar donor-funded, non-profit model — though WRI is global rather than Africa-focused.
• Rainforest Alliance: International NGO working on sustainable forestry and agriculture certification. Comparable in that it convenes stakeholders, publishes standards/knowledge, and engages African producers — but with a more commercial certification revenue stream.

Others

• BirdLife International: Global partnership of conservation organizations with strong Africa network. Comparable membership/partner-driven non-profit model and convening power, though biodiversity- rather than forestry-specific.

Direct peers

• CIFOR-ICRAF (Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry): Joint CGIAR research center focused on forestry and agroforestry. Directly comparable as both operate pan-African forestry knowledge/research platforms, and ICRAF physically hosts the AFF Secretariat and CIFOR-ICRAF's Africa Director sits on AFF's Governing Council.
• COMIFAC (Central African Forests Commission): Regional body coordinating Congo Basin forest policy. Direct peer — also has a seat on AFF's Governing Council — and shares the pan-African forestry convening role, though COMIFAC is a Central-Africa-focused intergovernmental body.
• ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization): Intergovernmental organization promoting sustainable management of tropical forests. Direct peer given that ITTO's Executive Director sits on AFF's Governing Council; both target tropical/African forest policy, though ITTO is treaty-based and global.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/africanff
• Facebookfacebook.com/African-Forest-Forum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/african-forest-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about African Forest Forum