Cameroon
All about the Cameroon-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement
Cameroon has over 18 million hectares of forest, which is approximately 40% of its national territory. Most of this forest area has been permanently allocated to long-term forest production or conservation, with a smaller area intended for community forestry. The forest sector contributes around 6% of Cameroon’s GDP. It accounts for about 30% of the value of non-oil national exports and is the greatest employer in rural areas. Cameroon is Africa’s largest exporter of tropical hardwood to the EU, most of which is sawn timber that goes to Italy and Spain.
VPA ALA Facility, EFI
Cameroon achieves a new milestone in promoting legal wood
Cameroon has become one of the first African countries to require the use of legal wood and timber in all its public procurement procedures. From now on, operators engaged in construction or public purchases in connection with wood by-products will have to prove the legal origin of the wood used. The new joint decree was signed on December 15, 2020 by Cameroonian ministers in charge of Forestry, Public Works, and Public Contracts.