Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Susan Abayomi
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for increased investment from African capital and the private sector to support the protection and sustainable management of the continent’s forests.
Sanwo-Olu made the call through the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, at a high-level business roundtable on the future of African forestry held in Lagos.
The governor warned that governments alone cannot provide the resources needed to preserve Africa’s forests, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among governments, investors, financial institutions, development partners, businesses and local communities.
According to him, Africa’s forests should no longer be viewed only as environmental resources but also as economic assets capable of creating jobs, supporting businesses, improving livelihoods, strengthening food security and building climate resilience.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the continent loses millions of hectares of forest annually, making it necessary to develop innovative financing solutions that will encourage sustainable forest management and conservation.
He also backed the proposed African Forestry Trust Fund, describing it as a potential platform that would help Africa take greater ownership of financing efforts aimed at protecting its forests and promoting sustainable development.
The governor urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and commitments by creating practical financing mechanisms and partnerships that would deliver measurable results in forest conservation.
He added that stronger private-sector involvement would help unlock opportunities in forest-based industries while supporting green investment, economic growth and environmental protection across Africa.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development and responsible investment, noting that effective forest management should ultimately improve the quality of life of Africans.
