This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, stakeholders in Nairobi called on the government to champion the certification of wood products to enable local players to compete in the international market.
The certification would promote sustainability in the forest sector and enhance the reach of Kenyan wood products globally, according to Harison Kojwang, Africa Regional Director of the Forest Stewardship Council.
"Private sector-led initiatives towards certification of wood products in the country are underway, but the government is still lagging in coming up with better policies towards the project," Kojwang noted.
He added that the private sector is taking the lead in certification due to the growing demand for sustainably produced wood materials in the Western world.
Kenya's forests contribute 3.6% to the GDP, excluding environmental services, and the country is experiencing a wood deficit, projected to increase from 10 million m3 to at least 15 million m3 per year by 2030.
Currently, most of the wood supplies from neighboring countries and in-country are not certified, and the legality of those sources is unclear.
Historically, the demand for certified wood and associated products has been limited due to a lack of awareness and appreciation of the benefits of certification.
"The line government agencies should move with speed in coming up with social, technical, and economic policies to avoid a situation where Kenyan wood products are locked out of more strict markets where sustainable use of forest products is under focus," Kojwang emphasized.
