Forest resources and context of Central African Republic

Update in progress

44.6% of CAR's total area of dense humid forests are used for production purposes.

Land surface

62.3

million ha

Forest cover

22.2

million ha

Production forest

4.8

million ha

Forest ownership

98.9

% publicly

Forest lost

xxx

ha/year

cONTEXT

Types of forest

The forests of the Central African Republic (CAR) can be distinguished in the dense humid rainforest in the south and north of these forests a dryer transition zone between forest and savannah. About 90% of the nation is covered with more or less dense wooded and shrubby savannas. The dense humid rainforests of the south-west and, to a lesser extent, the Bangassou region, which are mainly semi-deciduous, cover over 3 million hectares and only 5.5% of the nation. The forest production areas are exclusively located in the south-west's dense forest massif. From an economic standpoint, this semi-deciduous forest is one of Africa's richest. In addition to a relatively high density of Sapelli (Entandrophragmacylindricum), and other Meliaceae, there are significant concentrations of Ayous (Triplochytonscleroxylon) and Fraké (Terminaliasuperba). (Dacryodesbuettneri);

Out of a national area covering 62.3 million ha, CAR has nearly 6.9 million hectares of dense forests. In relation to the Congo Basin's total forests, though, CAR accounts for only 3.71%.

In the Central African Republic, since 1996, armed movements have been located in the north of the country (Ouham-Pendé, Ouham and Vakaga prefectures), i.e. several hundred kilometres from the forest production region.

Forest ownership in Central African Republic

Almost the whole forest area (98.9%) belongs to the state.

The Central African forest law (2008) splits the national forest domain into two parts: the permanent forest domain (the south-west massif, the Bangassou massif and the savannas) and the non-permanent forest domain (public authorities' forest areas, private individuals' forests and community forests).

Global Forest Watch Map

Step-by-step instructions : see here
Alert of deforestation : see here
Map : see here

RISK SCORES

CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX (Transparency international)

Corruption Perception Index

/100

0 is highly corrupt, 100 is very clean.
Source: Transparency International

ILLEGAL DEFORESTATION AND ASSOCIATED TRADE (IDAT) Risk (Forest Trend)

/100

100 is higher risk, 0 is lower risk
Source: Forest trend

SOURCING HUB RISK SCORE (Preferred by nature)

/100

0 is higher risk, 100 is lower risk
Source: Preferred by nature

COUNTRY DEFORESTESTATION CLASSIFICATION LIST - EUDR (European Commission)

LOW risk category

For more information about the methodology, see here

Sources:

Interpretation of Risk Indicators

The indicators presented in this country profile (CPI, IDIAT, Sourcing Hub, EU benchmarking) are macro indicators intended to support risk analysis. They do not constitute a uniform qualification of the country or of its operators.

The EU benchmarking system classifies countries according to their risk of producing commodities that are not deforestation-free. For countries classified as standard risk, operators must conduct full due diligence, including information collection, risk assessment, and risk mitigation.

A country classified as presenting a certain level of risk does not mean that trade is prohibited. Operators may still source from such countries, provided that risks are adequately mitigated. This may include prioritising certified supply chains or those verified by independent third-party audits. Moreover, risk levels can vary within a country: a specific supplier or supply chain may present a low risk even in a country classified as high risk.

In accordance with the EUDR (Articles 9 to 11), risk assessment must in all cases be carried out at the level of the plot of origin and take into account the specific context of the region, the type of forest, and the supply chain.

The Timber Trade Portal is designed to support this analysis but does not replace the operator’s due diligence obligations.

Subnational variations in risks

HARVESTING SOURCE	DUE DILIGENCE COMPLEXITY	DUE DILIGENCE CONSIDERATION

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