Boosting intra-African timber trade Astrid Zabel, Lydia Afriyie-Kraft, Annah Agasha, John Kojo Ahiakpa, Scholastica Akalibey, Marie-Louise Avana Tientcheu, Folaranmi D. Babalola, Achille Bernard Biwolé, Nathalie Guiakora Bouville, Thomas Breu, Joshua K. Cheboiwo, Ruben Doagbodzi, Daphine Gitonga, Godwin Kowero, Admore Mureva, Lovemore Musemwa, Doris Mutta, Reuben Mwamakimbullah, Labode Popoola, Julius Chupezi Tieguhong Trees Forests and People, 2026 • Africa has substantial timber trade deficit • Momentum for continental trade due to unstable international trade relationships • Adding value locally can support Pan-African inclusive and sustainable green growth Forest cover in Africa is declining, and new strategies are needed to foster sustainable forest management. At the same time, unstable international trade relationships are challenging Africa’s timber trade model. This creates momentum for Africa to boost intra-African timber trade and make use of the novel African Continental Free Trade Area. More continental trade could help reduce Africa’s trade deficit in wood and wood products while generating jobs, catalyzing investments and incentivizing sustainable forest management. Six approaches for fostering intra-African timber trade are suggested: increasing timber plantations on degraded land, supporting certification, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, building infrastructure for low-emission transportation, combatting and ending corruption, and creating awareness on the untapped economic potential of Africa’s timber sector.
Youth Knowledge, Engagement, and Challenges in Forest Management and Governance in Africa: A Literature Review C. Wekesa, A. Roos, D. Gitonga, L. Popoola, D. Mutta, M-L. Avana-Tientcheu, C. Mark-Herbert, F. Babalola, J. Cheboiwo, P. Mbile International Forestry Review, 2026 Africa’s forests are vital for biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate stability, yet they face increasing threats from anthropogenic activities and climate change. As the continent’s youth population grows, their role in sustainable forest management becomes more critical. A literature review of empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 found that urbanisation and modernisation are eroding traditional forest knowledge, though many rural youths remain dependent on the forests. Barriers such as insecure land tenure, limited training, exclusion from decision-making, and lack of support hinder youth engagement. Despite these challenges, young people show strong interest in sustainable forest use and conservation, though urban youth perspectives are underrepresented. To enhance youth involvement, the review recommends inclusive policies, better education on forest management, and integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge. Empowering African youth as conservationists and sustainable forest managers is crucial for addressing environmental challenges; future research should prioritize women and male youth from rural as well as urban areas, as both these groups remain underrepresented in the existing literature.
Social and knowledge diversity in forest education: Vital for the world’s forests Mika Rekola, Andrew B. Taber, Terry L. Sharik, John A. Parrotta, Michael J. Dockry, Folaranmi D. Babalola, Tara L. Bal, David Ganz, Marta Gruca, Manuel R. Guariguata, James Kungu, Pipiet Larasatie, Anne Nevgi, Sandra Rodriguez-Piñeros, Sirichai Saengcharnchai, Niclas Sandström, Khalil Walji Ambio, 2025 A global assessment of the status of tertiary, vocational, and technical forest education and training found deficits in inclusion of knowledge and student diversity. Coverage of forest services and cultural and social issues was characterized as weak in the curricula of many programs. The inclusion of traditional and Indigenous knowledge was frequently poor or absent. Gaps were found in enrollment at tertiary education levels with respect to diversity by gender, race/ethnicity, and other societal groups. If unaddressed, forest researchers, professionals, and workers will continue to lack familiarity with different knowledge systems and the importance of inclusive representation. Improvements in forest education related curricula, research, monitoring, policy, recruitment, and promotion are recommended. Without remedial action to build a representative, skilled, and knowledgeable workforce, prospects for forests to meet local, national, and global goals are at risk. Improved social and knowledge diversity in forest education is paramount for the future of forests.
Africanyouth4forests–from science to youth action for sustainable forests C. Wekesa, A. Roos, D. Gitonga, L. Popoola, D. Mutta, M.-L. Avana-Tientcheu, M. Massaoudou, C. Mark-Herbert, F. D. Babalola, P. Mbile, N. Agendia, R. Omondi Development in Practice, 2025 African forests are critical for biodiversity, climate resilience, and livelihoods but face mounting pressures from deforestation, land-use change, and climate impacts. The AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) initiative, launched in 2024, mobilises youth as agents of sustainable forestry through participatory science, digital tools, and policy engagement. Workshops in Kenya and Cameroon brought together young leaders, scientists, and policymakers to co-create locally grounded solutions, such as mangrove restoration, bamboo enterprises, digital conservation, agroforestry, and other nature-based enterprises. The resulting AY4F Combined Youth Declaration from the two workshops emphasises leadership, innovation, equity, and green enterprises. AY4F demonstrates youth capacity to transform ecological knowledge into action for inclusive green economies.
Determinants of adaptive capacities and coping strategies to climate change related extreme events by forest dependent communities in Malawi Harold L.W. Chisale, Paxie W. Chirwa, Judith Francesca Mangani Kamoto, Folaranmi D. Babalola Wellbeing Space and Society, 2024 Climate change related extreme events present significant threats against the sustainability of forest-based livelihoods. Adaptive capacities and coping strategies of forest residents in Malawi towards climate change and extreme weather events were analyzed. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants while random sampling was employed to sample household heads or older member of the household (n=422) involved in the household survey. Questionnaire administration, interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect the primary data. Cross tabulation of frequencies, Pearson Chi-square tests, and Binary logistic regression tests were used for the data analysis. Results showed that forest residents have always employed different adaptation and coping strategies during different climate extreme events over the years. Winter cropping (Dimba) around streams and wells, scored 66% in Mchinji whilst the shifting of crop planting periods to coincide with rainy seasons topped the list in Mangochi (55%) against droughts and erratic rainfall, respectively. Household satisfaction with water supply facilities and communication services dictated the respondents’ choice of the coping strategies employed. Furthermore, household human capital enhanced the adaptive capacity of forest residents. In conclusion, institutional services, social networks and human capital resources are important in devising climate coping and adaptation strategies hence recommending for more sustainable and transformative adaptation and coping strategies that can withstand projected climate change and weather-related events.
Securing Multifunctional Landscapes in Africa: What Is the Future Policy, Research and Development Direction? Paxie W. Chirwa, Stephen Syampungani, Theodore M. Mwamba, Kokou Kouami, Tajudeen O. Amusa, Jonathan M. Kamwi, Folaranmi D. Babalola, Simon A. Mng’omba, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Gillian Kabwe, Eméline S. P. Assèdé, Gudeta W. Sileshi, Paul Thangata, Lackson Chama Trees in A Sub Saharan Multi Functional Landscape Research Management and Policy, 2024
Awareness, Knowledge and Perception of Forest Dependent Communities on Climate Change in Malawi: A Case of Mchinji and Phirilongwe Forest Reserves in Malawi Harold L.W. Chisale, Paxie W. Chirwa, Folaranmi D. Babalola Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2023 Projected climate change presents many challenges and opportunities for individuals, households and wider society on how to adapt. Local knowledge is key to help smallholder farmers to cope with climate change and variability to attain sustainable forest management. However, there is limited understanding of what shapes human adaptation to climate change in various sectors at local level including forestry in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study explored the awareness, knowledge and perception of forest-dependent communities on climate change and variability around Phirilongwe and Mchinji forest reserves in Malawi. Empirical data was collected using household surveys (n = 422), key informant interviews (16), and focus group discussions (8). Results suggest that 60% of respondents in Mchinji were aware of climate change as compared to only 35% in Mangochi. Results record that respondents perceived increased erratic rainfall, high temperatures and strong winds and changes in seasons. The main factors influencing their climate perception includes possession of farming skills (p = .002), Education (P = .04), gender (P = .002) and possession of livestock keeping skills (p = .02). However, the cube root stratification method indicates that their level of knowledge falls in the low-level category. Although negligible proportion of climate skepticisms was exposed, a strong belief in anthropogenic causes of climate change and willingness to adopt environmental friendly intervention measures were revealed. However, the presence of the believers in the cultural and spiritual causes of climate change in the study area presents a challenge to mobilize them toward implementation of climate intervention measures and forest management. We therefore recommend their participation in the climate adaptation intervention designs and multiple use of various strategies and methods that will help to address their livelihoods at the same time improve their climate information and knowledge.
Exploring the Role of Forests as Natural Assets in Rural Livelihoods and Coping Strategies Against Risks and Shocks in Dedza East, Malawi T. C. Senganimalunje, P. W. Chirwa, F. D. Babalola Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2022 Forests are important natural capital for forest-adjacent communities and play an important role in dealing with risks and shocks. The study therefore examined the roles of forests in rural livelihoods in Dedza district eastern Malawi with focus on basic needs and assets, shocks and coping strategies. The findings showed that efforts were made by the co-management program in the study area to increase the livelihood capitals of the people, but the extent could not be ascertained. There were gaps in meeting basic needs of the households with forest products playing an insignificant role in both livelihood and coping strategies. The forest mainly supports subsistence needs with negligible contribution toward provision of safety net and as a pathway out of poverty. The main livelihood strategies were farm based, wage based and diversified. The prominent shocks that the households faced were serious crop failure and serious illness. Casual work, sale of agricultural products and reducing consumption constituted the prominent coping strategies of the people. The study further showed that land-holding size and age are the main determinants of livelihood diversification. Longitudinal data collection is, therefore, recommended to investigate further the nature of contribution of forests to livelihood diversification at household level.
The implications of globalization for conservation in Africa Tuyeni H. Mwampamba, Ron W. Abrams, Stephen Awoyemi, Folaranmi D. Babalola, Temitope I. Borokini, Benis Egoh, Hamid Rguibi Idrissi, Tayeb Koussa, Martin Nganje, Jennifer O'Leary African Journal of Ecology, 2016
Sustainable land management practices in the Sahel: Review of practices, techniques and technologies for land restoration and strategy for up-scaling International Forestry Review, 2015
Boosting intra-African timber trade A Zabel, L Afriyie-Kraft, A Agasha, JK Ahiakpa, S Akalibey, MLA Tientcheu, ... Trees, Forests and People, 101267 , 2026 2026
Youth knowledge, engagement, and challenges in forest management and governance in Africa: a literature review C Wekesa, A Roos, D Gitonga, L Popoola, D Mutta, ML Avana-Tientcheu, ... International Forestry Review 28 (1), 85-101 , 2026 2026
The role of local beliefs and customary practices in biodiversity conservation in Nigeria FD Babalola, S Egbe, LR Baker Handbook on Religion and the Environment, 232-246 , 2026 2026
Africanyouth4forests–from science to youth action for sustainable forests C Wekesa, A Roos, D Gitonga, L Popoola, D Mutta, ML Avana-Tientcheu, ... Development in Practice, 1-9 , 2025 2025
Household dependence on forest resources in rural enclave of ago-owu, osun state, nigeria OJ Arabomen, FD Babalola Journal Of Agriculture, Forestry & Environment 9 (1), 238-250 , 2025 2025
EVALUATION OF THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF ERIN IJESHA (OLUMIRIN) WATERFALLS, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA OJ Arabomen, FD Babalola FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES 9 (11), 32-40 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Social and knowledge diversity in forest education: Vital for the world’s forests M Rekola, AB Taber, TL Sharik, JA Parrotta, MJ Dockry, FD Babalola, ... Ambio 54 (4), 660-669 , 2025 2025 Citations: 17
Evaluation of the value chain and market dynamics of African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidumG. Don) in Fiditi, Oyo State, Nigeria OJ Arabomen, KP Oladeji, TV Oladeji, FD Babalola 2025
Understanding the Perception of Secondary School Students on Ecosystem Services Provided by Trees in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria FD Babalola, CS Ofordu, O Arabomen, OF Idowu Nigerian Journal of Forestry 54 (2) , 2024 2024
Multifunctional Landscapes PW Chirwa, W Kozanayi, AJ Uisso, RP Tshidzumba, FD Babalola, ... Trees in a Sub-Saharan Multi-functional Landscape: Research, Management, and … , 2024 2024
Securing Multifunctional Landscapes in Africa: What Is the Future Policy, Research and Development Direction? PW Chirwa, S Syampungani, TM Mwamba, K Kouami, TO Amusa, ... Trees in a Sub-Saharan Multi-functional Landscape: Research, Management, and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Socio-economic factors, policy and governance systems influencing multifunctional landscapes PW Chirwa, W Kozanayi, AJ Uisso, RP Tshidzumba, FD Babalola, ... Trees in a Sub-Saharan Multi-functional Landscape: Research, Management, and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Assessment of the supply chain of soursop (Annona muricata L.) fruit and leaves in Ibadan, Nigeria TV OLADEJI, KP OLADEJI, FD BABALOLA Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Journal 3 (2), 210-216 , 2024 2024
Effect of Electronic Accounting Payroll System on Performance of University Teaching Hospitals in Kwara State, Nigeria YA Olumoh, M Sanni, F Babalola EKSU Journal of the Management Scientists, Faculty of Management Sciences … , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Timber Marketing Practices in Selected Sawmills: A Case Study of Ijebu Ode, South-West, Nigeria AO Oso, FD Babalola, WA Salami, MA Kolapo, RO Adewale, OB Banjo Nigeria Agricultural Journal 55 (2), 170-177 , 2024 2024
EKSU Journal of the Management Scientists: Effect of Electronic Accounting Payroll System on Performance of University Teaching Hospitals in Kwara State, Nigeria YA Olumoh, M Sanni, F Babalola JOURNALS OF EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO EKITI, EKITI STATE 3 (1) , 2024 2024
Determinants of adaptive capacities and coping strategies to climate change related extreme events by forest dependent communities in Malawi HLW Chisale, PW Chirwa, JFM Kamoto, FD Babalola Wellbeing, Space and Society 6, 100183 , 2024 2024 Citations: 15
Awareness, knowledge and perception of forest dependent communities on climate change in Malawi: A case of Mchinji and Phirilongwe forest reserves in Malawi HLW Chisale, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola Journal of Sustainable Forestry 42 (7), 728-745 , 2023 2023 Citations: 14
Assessment of marketing and distribution channels of bushmeat in Kwara State, Nigeria FD Babalola Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation 92 (1), 122-137 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Estimating Agricultural and Forest Lands for Improved Post COVID-19 Crop Production Using Open Remote Sensing: Case Study of Kwara State, Nigeria MO Idrees, DM Omar, A Babalola, A Yusuf, FD Babalola, KC Onyelowe Space Fostering African Societies: Developing the African Continent Through … , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Management of invasive plant species in Nigeria through economic exploitation: lessons from other countries F Babalola Management of Biological Invasions , 2012 2012 Citations: 95
Socio-economic factors influencing household dependence on forests and its implication for forest-based climate change interventions C Ofoegbu, PW Chirwa, J Francis, FD Babalola Southern Forests: A Journal of Forest Science 79 (2), 109-116 , 2017 2017 Citations: 84
Assessing vulnerability of rural communities to climate change: A review of implications for forest-based livelihoods in South Africa C Ofoegbu, P Chirwa, J Francis, F Babalola International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management 9 (03 … , 2017 2017 Citations: 82
Assessing forest-based rural communities' adaptive capacity and coping strategies for climate variability and change: The case of Vhembe district in South Africa C Ofoegbu, PW Chirwa, J Francis, FD Babalola Environmental Development 18, 36-51 , 2016 2016 Citations: 61
Sustainable land management practices in the Sahel: review of practices, techniques and technologies for land restoration and strategy for up-scaling A Maisharou, PW Chirwa, M Larwanou, F Babalola, C Ofoegbu International Forestry Review 17 (3), 1-19 , 2015 2015 Citations: 55
Management and restoration practices in degraded landscapes of Eastern Africa and requirements for up-scaling PW Chirwa, M Larwanou, S Syampungani, FD Babalola International Forestry Review 17 (3), 20-30 , 2015 2015 Citations: 54
Does participatory forest management program lead to efficient forest resource use and improved rural livelihoods? Experiences from Mua-Livulezi Forest Reserve, Malawi TC Senganimalunje, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola, MA Graham Agroforestry systems 90 (4), 691-710 , 2016 2016 Citations: 50
Willingness-to-pay for environmental services provided by trees in core and fringe areas of Benin city, Nigeria 1 OJ Arabomen, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola International Forestry Review 21 (1), 23-36 , 2019 2019 Citations: 40
Farmers’ compliance with the use of approved cocoa pesticides in cocoa producing states of Nigeria IU Mokwunye, FD Babalola, I Ndagi, M Idrisu, FC Mokwunye, EU Asogwa Journal of agriculture and social research (JASR) 12 (2), 44-60 , 2012 2012 Citations: 37
Community-based forest resources management in Nigeria: case study of ngel nyaki forest reserve, mambilla plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria TI Borokini, FD Babalola, TO Amusa Department of Forestry and Environmental Science University of Sri … , 2012 2012 Citations: 37
Prospects and challenges of production and marketing of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by rural farmers in Southwest Nigeria FD Babalola Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 2 (4), 222-230 , 2009 2009 Citations: 37
Agroforestry systems in Nigeria: Review of concepts and practices JI Amonum, FD Babalola, SIN Agera Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife and Environment 1 (1), 18-30 , 2009 2009 Citations: 37
Assessing local people's perceptions and preference for ecosystem services to support management plan in Omo Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria O Adeyemi, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola Environmental Development 43, 100738 , 2022 2022 Citations: 32
Potentials and challenges of kolanut production in Niger State, Nigeria I Ndagi, FD Babalola, IU Mokwunye, CF Anagbogu, IA Aderolu, O Ugioro, ... International Scholarly Research Notices 2012 (1), 492394 , 2012 2012 Citations: 27
Assessing local-level forest use and management capacity as a climate-change adaptation strategy in Vhembe district of South Africa C Ofoegbu, PW Chirwa, J Francis, FD Babalola Climate and Development 11 (6), 501-512 , 2019 2019 Citations: 26
Potential of institutional arrangements for sustainable management of forests under co-management with local forest organisations in Mua-Livulezi Forest Reserve, Mtakataka, Malawi TC Senganimalunje, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola International Forestry Review 17 (3), 340-354 , 2015 2015 Citations: 24
Perceived effects of climate change and extreme weather events on forests and forest-based livelihoods in Malawi HLW Chisale, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola, SOM Manda Sustainability 13 (21), 11748 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
Assessment of settlement models for engagement of communities in forest land under claim in Jessievale and Roburna communities in Mpumalanga, South Africa PW Chirwa, S Mamba, SOM Manda, FD Babalola Land Use Policy 46, 65-74 , 2015 2015 Citations: 23
Perception-based analysis of climate change effect on forest-based livelihood: The case of Vhembe District in South Africa C Ofoegbu, PW Chirwa, FD Babalola, J Francis Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 8 (1), 1-11 , 2016 2016 Citations: 22
Sawmill conversion efficiency and wood recovery of timber species in cross river state Nigeria C Ofoegbu, UI Ogbonnaya, FD Babalola Univerzitet Crne Gore, Biotehnicki Institut Podgorica , 2014 2014 Citations: 21