Africa to benefit from billion-dollar forest fund

September 28, 2025

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A new $125 billion global forest fund could channel long-term finance to African countries for keeping forests intact. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), launched at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on 23 September, will make annual payments to countries based on how well they preserve their forests.

  • Brazil has become the first country to commit resources, pledging $1 billion to kick-start the fund and urging wealthier nations to support the initiative.

  • Adam Falk, President of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said the fund would support regions such as Central Africa, where intact tropical forests support global carbon storage yet remain underfunded. 

  • Our take: Africa holds some of the world’s most important carbon sinks which need more financial attention…Read more (2 min)

When most people think of conservation, they picture national parks, endangered wildlife, some specific species and famous names. But this image tells only part of the story and hides uncomfortable truths. Claire Thomas, a conservation researcher, argues that conservation has long ignored its entanglement with climate change and social justice.

  • “Conservation must reckon with its past failures like fortress conservation that displaced indigenous peoples and campaigns centred on ‘cute’ species to remain relevant.” says Mrs Thomas.

  • Drawing on research and history, she challenges readers to rethink what conservation should mean in the 21st century.

  • Read the full opinion…Read more (2 min)

Ghana has signed a new nature-based carbon credit deal with Singapore that ties forest restoration directly to agribusiness and rural development. The agreement channels international carbon finance into the Kwahu Landscape Restoration Project, which restores degraded land while creating opportunities for farmers and local enterprises.

  • The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) credits is expected to deliver a share of the 2.175 million tonnes of credits that Singapore is purchasing from Ghana, Peru, and Paraguay, valued at $56 million.

  • Ghana is using this finance to restore degraded land, improve soil fertility and water systems, and invest in cocoa processing that supports job creation and local livelihoods.

  • Our take: If communities are not recognised as equal partners in REDD+ projects, the pressures that drive habitat loss will persist despite international investment…Read more (2 min)

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Government officials, community leaders, marine experts and conservationists in East Africa sign an agreement to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

 

Events

🗓️ Follow the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi (October 9)

🗓️ Take part in World Migratory Bird Day 2025 (October 12)

🗓️ Attend the 6th World Congress on Agroforestry in Rwanda (October 20)

Jobs

👷 Be the Conservation Impact Manager at Rainsorest Alliance (Kenya)

👷 Apply Environmental and Social Advisor at Scatec (South Africa)

👷 Join IUCN as a Programme Assistant (Tanzania)

Various 

🌳 Ghana organises remote sensing training for biodiversity loss

🌳 South Africa records progress for rhinos

🌳 Southern Africa experiences mass vulture poisonings

Seen on LinkedIn 

Mark Liao, a conservation expert, says, “I’ve come to realise that the strength of conservation lies in diversity. Not just in ecosystems, but in people. As the world shifts, we must embrace multidisciplinary teams, where different sectors and backgrounds come together to ensure decision-making processes are truly inclusive, fair and sustainable.”_______________