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African Mountain Forest Canopy
Pan-African Community

Join a continental network shaping Africa's forest future

Connect with over 3,000 forestry professionals, researchers, policy makers, and community stewards across 51 African nations and 33 countries worldwide. Influence policy, access grants, and lead sustainable forest management.

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Member Portal & Knowledge Access

Sign in to access members-only working groups, internal publications, consultative meeting voting, and direct pilot project calls.

Exclusive peer-reviewed monographs & policy briefs
Direct participation in Members' Forum meetings
Eligible for funded research grants & travel fellowships
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3,000+

Total Registered Members

51

African Countries Represented

94%

African Continental Presence

33

Overseas Partner Nations

Become a Member Why Join & Benefits Member Testimonials Meetings of Members Membership FAQs Contact Us
Membership Categories

Choose Your Membership Pathway

Whether you represent an institution or are an individual professional, AFF membership provides opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge, influence policy, and strengthen capacity across Africa.

Complete Membership Application →
Institutional forestry trade facility

Institutional Membership

Open to organizations working in forestry, natural resources, climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, research, education, policy development, community development, forest enterprises, and other related sectors.

Key Institutional Benefits:
  • Collaborate directly with leading African and global forestry institutions.
  • Participate in regional knowledge-sharing initiatives and symposia.
  • Access AFF research, peer-reviewed publications, and technical resources.
  • Strengthen international partnerships and organizational visibility.
  • Contribute directly to high-level evidence-based forest policy dialogues.
Application Review Process: Institutional membership applications are reviewed and processed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Inquire as an Institution →
Most Popular Individual researcher in laboratory setting

Individual Membership

Open to professionals, researchers, students, academics, government officers, NGOs, private sector practitioners, farmer organizations, and anyone committed to the sustainable management and conservation of forests and trees across Africa.

Key Individual Benefits:
  • Join an active network of over 3,000 committed forestry professionals.
  • Access exclusive learning, training, fellowships, and knowledge tools.
  • Receive regular updates on funding, grants, calls, jobs, and events.
  • Contribute your specialized expertise to continental initiatives.
  • Expand your professional career network across all African regions.
Governing Council Approval: Individual applications are formally approved annually by the AFF Governing Council (convening in March).
Inquire as an Individual →
The Value Proposition

Empowering Action, Knowledge & Collaboration

AFF exists to represent the diverse voices of African forestry stakeholders. We combine science, indigenous knowledge, and real-world field experience to advocate for tree resources.

Why Join AFF → Benefits → How to Join →
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1. Continental Reach & Inclusion

Engage with peers across 51 African nations. Share innovations, policy insights, and solutions that advance sustainable forestry across all regional economic communities.

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2. Resource & Knowledge Hub

Gain unrestricted access to AFF's repository of science-based publications, working papers, data sets, and policy briefs on timber trade, REDD+, and value chains.

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3. Policy Influence & Advocacy

Gain visibility and shape international and AU-level negotiations. Ensure African forestry perspectives are heard in global climate and trade agendas.

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4. Capacity Building & Grants

Access targeted training, professional fellowships, internships, and competitive research funding opportunities designed for young and mid-career foresters.

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5. A Platform for Your Voice

AFF places member priorities at the forefront. Serve in expert task forces, advisory working groups, and co-author key continental policy positions.

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6. Pilot Project Partnerships

Collaborate directly on funded field projects testing agroforestry business models, green value chains, and community forest rights.

AFF members during field study visit

Field Study Tour & Practical Training

Participants on a field study visit to the Arusha Agro-forestry tree nursery during a training workshop on sustainable forest management organized by AFF in Northern Tanzania.

Member Composition

Demographics & Regional Profile

AFF membership spans 51 African countries with 94% continental representation and 6% international diaspora membership across academia, ministries, and NGOs.

Academia & Research72%
Government Ministries & Forestry Authorities15%
NGOs, Civil Society & Indigenous Groups8%
Private Sector, Traders & Farmers5%
Voices of Impact

Member Testimonials

Hover or tap each card to flip and discover how AFF membership has supported the careers, research, and policy contributions of African forestry leaders.

All Testimonials →
Prof. Paxie Wanangwa Chirwa

Prof. Paxie W. Chirwa

South Africa / Malawi · Academia
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"AFF provides an unparalleled platform for African forest scientists to bridge academic research directly into national and regional policy frameworks."

Prof. Paxie W. Chirwa
Senior Forestry Researcher
Prudence Galega

Prudence Galega

Cameroon · Policy & Law
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"Through the AFF working groups, we have influenced legal instruments governing fair benefit-sharing and indigenous community rights in Central Africa."

Prudence Galega
Legal & Policy Specialist
Cécile Ndjebet

Cécile Ndjebet

Cameroon · Civil Society
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"The dedicated focus on gender mainstreaming within AFF empowers women across African forest landscapes to claim land tenure and economic sovereignty."

Cécile Ndjebet
President & Founder, REFACOF
Dr. Mercy Gichora

Dr. Mercy Gichora

Kenya · Forest Governance
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"Networking with forestry colleagues from West and Southern Africa broadened our institutional perspective on sustainable plantation management."

Dr. Mercy Gichora
Forest Management Consultant
Charity Munyasya

Charity Munyasya

Kenya · Public Sector
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"AFF training programs on international environmental conventions enabled our ministry staff to negotiate effectively at global COP sessions."

Charity Munyasya
Natural Resources Directorate
Prof. Amusa Tajudeen Okekunle

Prof. Amusa T. Okekunle

Nigeria · Academic Research
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"AFF research grants gave my university postgraduate team the field resources to assess climate vulnerability in dryland agroforestry systems."

Prof. Amusa T. Okekunle
Professor of Forest Economics
Abel Kamfwe

Abel Kamfwe

Zambia · Youth Chapter
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"Being part of the AfricanYouth4Forests initiative connected me with mentors and green enterprise models across the continent."

Abel Kamfwe
Green Enterprise Leader
Fifonsi Ayélé Dangbo

Fifonsi Ayélé Dangbo

Benin · Researcher
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"The bilingual knowledge resources and workshops break down language barriers between Anglophone and Francophone researchers."

Fifonsi Ayélé Dangbo
Forestry Researcher
Constitutional Governance

Meetings of the Members' Forum

The Members' Forum of the African Forest Forum convenes every few years in accordance with the AFF Constitution (Article 4, Section 4.1). It constitutes the ultimate authority of AFF.

Meetings & Proceedings →
Prof. Suzana Augustino addressing Members' Forum
Keynote Address: Prof. Suzana Augustino, Member of the Governing Council of the African Forest Forum (AFF) and Chairperson of the AFF Members' Forum, delivering remarks at the consultative meeting.
15–20 February 2011 · First Meeting

1st Meeting of the Members' Forum (Electronic)

Conducted electronically. Members elected the first Chairperson (Prof. Fredrick Owino of Kenya) and Vice Chairperson (Dr. Abdelazim Mirghani Ibrahim of Sudan), and ratified the AFF Constitution and Governing Council rules of operation.

27 February – 3 March 2017 · Second Meeting

2nd Meeting of the Members' Forum (Nairobi, Kenya)

Convened virtually and in-person to review progress on AFF's flagship projects on climate change and sustainable forest management. Prof. Demel Teketay (Ethiopia) and Ibro Adamou (Niger) were elected as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

28–30 June 2021 · Third Meeting

3rd Meeting of the Members' Forum (Virtual)

Members reviewed work executed by the Governing Council from 2017–2020. Highlights included progress on gender mainstreaming and project impacts. Prof. Suzana Augustino (Tanzania) and Paul Vantomme (Belgium) were elected as Chair and Vice Chair (2021–2025).

8 November 2024 · Special Meeting

Special Meeting of the Members' Forum

Held virtually to formally ratify the revised Constitution of the African Forest Forum (AFF), approved by the Governing Council on April 22, 2024, to strengthen institutional governance and sustainability.

Meeting Reports & Proceedings

2024 Archive
Report on the Special Meeting of the Members' Forum PDF (EN)
2021 Archive
Report on the Third Meeting of the Members' Forum PDF (EN) Rapport de la Troisième Réunion du Forum des Membres PDF (FR) 2020 Annual Project Report (SDC) PDF 2020 Annual Project Report (Sida) PDF
2017 Archive
Report on the Second Meeting of the Members' Forum PDF (EN) 6 Years of Achievements: Forests, People & Climate Change PDF (EN) 6 Years of Achievements: Sustainable Forest Management PDF (EN)
2011 Archive
Report on the First Meeting of the Members' Forum PDF (EN/FR)
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know

Clear answers regarding AFF membership eligibility, application timelines, fees, and contribution modalities.

Full Membership FAQs →

The African Forest Forum (AFF) is a pan-African, non-political, non-governmental organization that brings together individuals and institutions who care about the sustainable management, wise use, and conservation of Africa's forest and tree resources. AFF works to advance forestry on the continent through research, policy engagement, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

Membership is open to individuals and institutions working in or interested in forestry and related fields, including:

  • Researchers and academics
  • Forestry professionals and practitioners
  • Policymakers and civil society actors
  • Indigenous Peoples and local communities
  • Private sector stakeholders
  • Students and young professionals
  • Media professionals

Members enjoy access to exclusive forestry knowledge, publications, participation in regional and global policy dialogues, networking opportunities, research/training opportunities, information on funding and jobs, and a platform to voice their perspectives.

Simply use the Contact Us form below on our website. Membership applications are reviewed and approved by the Governing Council of AFF, which meets once a year around March.

AFF membership is currently free of charge for individuals and institutions. However, this is subject to change in the future based on the evolving needs of the Forum.

AFF engages members through technical advisory roles, task forces, working groups, collaborative research projects, fellowship and internship programmes, and communication platforms for visibility and outreach.

Absolutely. Members are encouraged to contribute knowledge, research, case studies, and local insights. Opportunities also exist to join thematic groups, co-author publications, and serve as experts on specific assignments.

AFF is dedicated exclusively to forestry and tree-based landscapes in Africa. Unlike top-down organizations, AFF builds an inclusive continental community emphasizing:

  • African leadership and ownership in forestry matters.
  • The integration of science, policy, and indigenous knowledge.
  • Direct engagement of members in shaping research and training.
  • A strong focus on pan-African collaboration and global influence.
Get in Touch

Have Questions About Membership?

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