Congolese civil society seeks say on timber revenue
A new law requires 15% of felled timber to go to the state, but implementation details remain unclear.
Congolese civil society organizations met in Brazzaville from October 29-31, 2026, to scrutinize a new law enacted in October 2024. This law mandates that 15% of all timber felled in the Republic of Congo's forests will directly benefit the state. However, key aspects regarding the management, distribution, and beneficiaries of this state share are yet to be defined in three pending application texts.
The law, stemming from the 2020 Forest Code, transforms the state from a mere tax collector into a co-owner of timber harvests. Forests cover approximately 65% of the Republic of Congo's territory, making timber a significant national resource. Civil society groups, including the Congolese Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH), argue that the law was adopted without sufficient transparency or inclusivity, leaving local communities and indigenous populations uncertain about their share.
Nina Cynthia Kiyindou of OCDH stated that while some representatives participated in the multi-actor text review group (GETMA), broader civil society was not involved. These groups are now preparing recommendations to influence the upcoming application texts, aiming to ensure clarity on how the 15% timber share will be calculated, managed, and utilized for the benefit of Congolese citizens living in forest-dependent communities.
Why it mattersThe implementation of a new law that allocates 15% of felled timber to the state will determine if the revenue directly benefits Congolese citizens living in forest areas.