China’s Investment, Africa’s Forest

Chinese investments in African land use are growing fast. From small enterprises in forestry, agribusiness and mining, through huge infrastructure cooperation projects and contracts won by Chinese companies – in hydropower, port development, road and railway building – that gobble up forest and woodland. These developments can bring huge benefits to African economies and huge challenges to sustainability. One thing is for sure – they are changing Africa. But real understanding in both China and Africa, about what is really going on, is often weak - and those who can best help chart a sustainable course for these Chinese investments have been poorly linked. In 2013, IIED with partners launched the China Africa Forest Governance Platform to tackle key problems in the illegal timber trade and seize opportunities for more sustainable Chinese investment in land-use sectors. The Platform is a forum for projects aiming to generate evidence, strengthen capacity and dialogue, and improve policy and investment practice by Chinese companies in African forest land use. This film tells the story so far.