GEF Africa Sustainable Forestry Fund

Invests in timber and forestry related assets

Overview

The GEF Africa Sustainable Forestry Fund L.P. invests in timber and forestry related assets in Sub Saharan Africa. SIFEM has committed USD 10 million to the fund. The fund can invest in existing plantations greenfield plantations natural forest concessions and forest products processing and manufacturing facilities. Assets will be managed according to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) principles and IFC Performance Standards. Plantations and concessions will be harvested and planted in a manner that ensures a sustainable balance is maintained between what is removed and regrown. The Fund will showcase that sustainably managed Forestry Assets are an attractive and profitable opportunity in Sub Saharan Africa. This is of key importance to establish the asset class in the region and may have important long term ramifications in assisting to halt the cycle of deforestation and land degradation in the region. The Fund s success may also have important impact in terms of rural economic development and job creation.The fund s sponsor GEF Management Corporation has a track record of 20 years in private equity investments in emerging and developed markets. This includes forestry investments in Africa.