Establishment of 2,000 ha of shea tree forests across four regions in Togo by 2027

On the morning of the 28th, the Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister LIM Sang-seop, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) under the leadership of Director-General KIM Sang-Hyup, held an official launching ceremony for the project titled Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change of Vulnerable Population through Sustainable Forestry Resources Management in Lom?, Togo.

The event was attended by key government officials, local government leaders, and stakeholders, demonstrating their commitment to the project's success through cooperation.

Located in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa, Togo is the world's seventh-largest producer of shea butter, yielding approximately 13,000 tons of shea nuts annually. The country has around 386,000 ha of shea tree plantations, covering 6.8% of its total land area.

Shea tree forests play a crucial role in climate adaptation by preventing soil erosion, enhancing drought resistance, and improving soil fertility. They also serve as a vital source of livelihood for vulnerable communities, offering significant economic value.

However, deforestation caused by agriculture and charcoal production, along with unregulated logging and inadequate sustainable forest management, has led to a decline in forested areas over the past decade, threatening the livelihoods of communities reliant on shea trees.

To address these challenges, the KFS aims to establish 2,000 ha of shea tree forests in four regions of Togo by 2027. Additionally, four training centers will be set up to promote sustainable forest management, and facilities for sorting and processing shea nuts will be established to strengthen the technical skills of local youth and women.

Dr. NAM Song Hee, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau, expressed hope that Korea’s forest cooperation in Africa would expand further through meaningful contributions to climate change adaptation and local income generation in Togo.