Wahab Calls for Private Investment to Protect Africa’s Forests

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has called for greater private-sector investment and African funding to protect and sustainably manage the continent’s forests.

Wahab, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a High-Level Lunch Debate and Business Roundtable on the Future of African Forestry in Lagos, said forests should be seen not only as environmental assets but also as drivers of investment, job creation, livelihoods, food security and climate resilience.

He noted that Africa is losing nearly four million hectares of forest annually, stressing that governments alone cannot finance the scale of action required. He therefore backed the proposed African Forestry Trust Fund as a platform to increase African ownership and attract responsible investment into forest protection and sustainable management.