Logging in: Dismantling the Dark Web of Africa’s Timber Industry

Abstract

Timber is one of Africa’s most valuable natural resources and has long played a vital role in shaping local economies. In recent decades, however, the continent’s forests have become deeply entangled in the global illegal timber trade, which is estimated to be worth up to $157 billion annually. As international demand for tropical timber has grown, so too has the scale of unlawful harvesting and export across Africa. This paper explores how Africa has become a key supplier of unprocessed timber to global markets. Despite efforts to promote legal and sustainable logging, enforcement has been inconsistent and easily undermined. Corruption, regulatory gaps, and a general lack of political resolve have allowed illegal operators to move timber with minimal resistance. These conditions have weakened conservation efforts and facilitated illicit financial flows. The paper analyses the actors involved in the illegal trade and the reasons behind its persistence. It concludes by outlining practical reforms aimed at improving transparency and reducing harm to both people and forests.