Africa's biodiversity value chains offer livelihood and tourism opportunities, researchers find
Researchers presenting findings at a regional webinar hosted by the African Forest Forum (AFF) have identified biodiversity-based value chains across Uganda, Madagascar and Nigeria with significant potential to strengthen rural livelihoods and support conservation goals. Africa's forests span 624 million hectares and encompass eight of the world's 34 critical biodiversity hotspots, representing a substantial economic and ecological asset. In Uganda, ecotourism already supports more than 5,000 jobs, while gorilla tourism at Bwindi generates approximately US$35 million annually. In Madagascar, essential oils generate around US$8.65 million per year and support more than 300,000 jobs, while the raffia sector sustains some 500,000 harvesting households.
Despite the scale of these value chains, researchers noted that most processing and value capture occurs outside producer communities, limiting local economic benefit. Dr Doris Mutta, Head of the Programme Management Unit at the AFF, highlighted opportunities to establish local processing enterprises, expand market access, introduce certification systems and diversify products to increase income for communities living adjacent to forest biodiversity hotspots. The findings are intended to guide future investment and policy interventions, with researchers emphasising that biodiversity-based enterprises - including forest tourism - can simultaneously support livelihoods, conservation objectives and climate resilience across the continent.
Source: My Joy Online
