Post: Young forestry researchers step out into green classroom

July 7, 2025

Young forestry researchers step out into green classroom

The African Forest Forum has partnered with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute to better equip young African forest researchers and students in forestry institutions with skills and knowledge to drive green transition and sustainable forest management on the continent.

The knowledge equipping project, dubbed ‘AfricanYouth4Forests’, represents a dynamic intersection between Africa’s verdant forests and its youth, the organisers said. The young researchers and scientists attended a training workshop in Mbalmayo, Cameroon, from 11-13 June 2025. A similar session was held in Kenya in April.

“These training sessions are expected to provide a platform for young people to articulate their voices and research tools to improve their technological knowledge for the future of forests and to better embrace green economic opportunities,” Dr Moussa Massaoudou said in the opening address. He represented the Executive Secretary of the African Forest Forum (AFF), Professor Labode Popoola, at the sessions. Massaoudou is affiliated with the University of Dan Dicko Dankoulodo of Maradi in Niger.

The young scientists learned to use artificial intelligence in research, geospatial technology to collect data, camera trapping technology to capture and monitor movement of wildlife in the forest, and remote sensing technology.

Youth must be empowered

The project goal is to enable young forest researchers and scientists in Africa to get abreast with innovative technological know-how to better contribute to the African Agenda 2063 and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Massaoudou said.

The Youth Handbook on African Forests is a product of the AfricanYouth4Forests project. It is distributed to trainees and forestry training institutions in several African countries. The book is the result of collaboration between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the AFF.

Forest research experts said the scientific knowledge gained will help widen the scope of trainees in the forest sector.

“To deliver forest restoration and green transition goals, the ambition of the younger generation of scientists and researchers must be as big as the forests they must protect,” Dr Chemuku Wekesa, KEFRI representative and adjunct lecturer at the Taita Taveta University’s School of Agriculture, Environment and Earth Sciences in Kenya, told University World News.

Environment science experts said the empowerment of youths to assume roles in biodiversity conservation in Africa has become imperative, given the need for quality and innovative solutions.

“The forest cover and its diversity in Africa is important and the youth must keep up with the knowledge to better protect and address the challenges with innovative ideas and techniques,” Dr Peter Mbile, environment and conservation expert, said in his presentation, an overview of the richness of Africa’s forests.

The right tools, skills

The training also seeks to engage young forest researchers in Africa to drive tech-savvy conservation and take the lead in the green-transition agenda.

Professor Marie Louise Avana-Tientcheu, deputy country coordinator for the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) in Cameroon, underscored the need for young researchers in Africa to take the relay baton in sustainable forest management which is one of the key solutions in the fight against climate change. She teaches agroforestry and forestry sciences at the University of Dschang.

“With rapid changes in technology, the current and future generation of scientists and researchers in Africa need the right skills and tools to adapt to the changes for quality results,” Avana-Tientcheu told University World News.

Professor Anders Roos of the SLU emphasised the need for teaching sustainable business models in tree-based value chains at universities in Sub-Saharan Africa to permit young graduates to establish and run projects related to forestry management.

Speaking to trainees about sustainable forestry, Roos said, “There are opportunities, value chains, wood transformation and marketing, and carbon credit marketing. The students need these skills and knowledge to better apply them in the future.”

Complementary training

Mbock Germain, the director of the National School of Water and Forestry (ENEF) in Cameroon, said the AfricanYouth4Forests project complements the classroom training students and graduate researchers receive at universities and institutions that specialise in forestry. It will also help reinforce and improve forest governance practices and better shape behavioural field actions for quality results in the biodiversity and climate change protection drive.

“Apart from the science, we also lay emphasis on professional ethics to reinforce governance and behavioural change in forest management,” Germain told University World News.

The young forestry scientists, researchers and students touted their role as present and future force for change in the forestry sector in Africa.

“As a young researcher, I have been working with others in my institution to implement innovative projects in biodiversity and natural resources. This training workshop will certainly improve my knowledge in forestry issues and assist me do my research work better,” Prudence Bakari from the Institute of Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD), said in an interview.

IRAD promotes agricultural development in the areas of plant, animal, fishery, forestry, environmental production, as well as food and agro-industrial technologies, she said.

Understanding the intricacies

The attendees also highlighted their engagement in forest and environmental conservation through activism and advocacy, expressing the wish for regular education and training that enables them to contribute to the global forestry discourse. The youths also agree that their empowerment to become future leaders in conservation is ensuring sustainability and guarantee for a better future for Africa. This is especially applicable to young women.

“Empowering young women in forest conservation and climate change is the right solution in the right direction because women are a force to reckon with in any development drive, especially the fight against poverty in grass-root communities vulnerable to climate change like the north and far north of Cameroon,” said Yadjua Heidi from the National Polytechnic School of Maroua.

Nguepi Manfo Paul Martial, senior student technician in forestry and wildlife, said: “Training like this adds to what we are learning in school, and this will permit better understanding of the intricacies involved in the forestry sector.”

Source: University World News