Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Forestry Governance in the DRC

The report examines the transition of forestry governance in the DRC from centralized control to a network-based approach. It analyzes the impact of the 2006-2008 forest title conversion process, which concentrated the industry into fewer hands, and evaluates the role of the 2002 Forest Code. A case study of Bikoro Territory demonstrates how tripartite structures involving government, private sector, and civil society can resolve local conflicts and improve accountability, despite challenges like extreme poverty, lack of infrastructure, and unregulated charcoal production.

• The forest title conversion process conducted by the Inter-ministerial Commission for the Conversion of Old Forest Titles (CIM) between 2006 and 2008 significantly concentrated the logging industry. The Nord-Sud Timber (NST) Group's share of concessions increased from 24% to 57%, and SIFORCO's share rose from 6% to 14%.
• The 2002 Forest Code established a broad vision for the DRC's forests based on three axes: regulated industrial exploitation, decentralization with community involvement, and the safeguarding of biodiversity and environmental services. However, critics argue the code remains skewed toward regulating industrial logging.
• In Bikoro Territory, tripartite governance structures—consisting of local administration, the private sector, and civil society—have successfully mediated conflicts. For example, a dispute between the company ITB and local fishermen over dykes and fishing traps was resolved through facilitated dialogue.
• Local forestry governance in Bikoro faces severe constraints due to a near total absence of public infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and telecommunications, forcing logging companies to provide their own services.
• Unregulated charcoal production is a primary driver of deforestation and a critical livelihood for the impoverished population in Equateur Province. In some cases, charcoal traders earn significantly more than professional civil servants, such as secondary school teachers.
• There is a significant lack of coordination between the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism (MENCT) and other government agencies. This is evidenced by logging companies receiving contradictory messages from tax collectors and the MENCT regarding the legality of their operations.
• The 2008/09 global financial crisis severely impacted the DRC logging sector, leading to a drop in international orders and a halt in new investments. SODEFOR, which exports 60% of its product, reported a 'veritable catastrophe'.
• The church serves as a critical, self-sustaining pillar of civil society in rural areas like Bikoro, often providing essential social services such as health care and education where the state is absent.

APA

du Preez, M.-L., & Sturman, K. (2009). Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Forestry Governance in the DRC. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Research-Report-4.pdf

Chicago

du Preez, Mari-Lise, and Kathryn Sturman. Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Forestry Governance in the DRC. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2009. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Research-Report-4.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=du Preez |first1=Mari-Lise |last2=Sturman |first2=Kathryn |title=Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Forestry Governance in the DRC |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=June 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Research-Report-4.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dupreez2009seeing, author = {du Preez, Mari-Lise and Sturman, Kathryn}, title = {{Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Forestry Governance in the DRC}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Research-Report-4.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }