Africa Forestry Fund II

Africa Forestry Fund II (AFF II) is a private equity fund which invests in the sustainable forestry products value chain, including sustainable forestry plantations, forestry products processing and manufacturing facilities, as well as wood-to-energy biomass generation assets. The Fund targets projects throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, many of them located in rural areas. It seeks to bring a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits to surrounding communities.

The African continent offers compelling economic growth opportunities, however the forestry sector and its value chain suffer from inadequate investment and poor management. As the continent develops, the demand for wood-based products is increasing and supply is not able to keep up, resulting in a need for Africa to import wood products. AFF II requires and supports its companies to manage plantations and other operations in a sustainable manner, in an effort to protect biodiversity, sequester carbon and help halt the cycle of deforestation and land degradation. It also seeks to foster social and environmental best practices across operations and rural communities, with a focus on the provision of safe and formal jobs for the workers. SIFEM’s investment of USD 7 million supports the sustainable growth of a crucial sector for the long-term development of Sub-Saharan Africa.