Fraudulent networks fuel deforestation and illegal timber exports in Cameroon

December 16, 2025

Cameroon's forests, which comprise 45 percent of its territory and represent the second-largest rainforest in the Congo Basin, are experiencing severe degradation due to illegal logging and timber trafficking. While timber harvesting has been legally regulated since 1994 with quotas and reforestation requirements, authorities struggle to enforce these rules as operators illegally divert wood for export. European demand for tropical timber declined sharply between 2010 and 2020 following stricter legality requirements, causing Asian markets, particularly China, to become the dominant importers of Central African timber.

Who is affected

Local communities in Cameroon whose existence is directly threatened
Cameroonian government (experiencing billions in lost revenue from uncollected logging rights and unpaid taxes)
Biodiversity in the Congo Basin region
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other Congo Basin countries
Mbaye Ekongé and other local residents (witnessing illegal practices)
Legal timber operators competing with illegal networks
European and Asian countries importing the timber (China, Vietnam, Belgium, Italy, France, United States, Spain)
Neighboring countries with weak forest governance (Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad)

What action is being taken

Illegal operators are cutting timber beyond legal limits and in prohibited areas
Criminal networks are using falsified documents, transport documents, and traceability certificates to launder illegal timber
Cross-border smuggling networks are transporting Cameroonian timber through Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad for export under different customs identities
Companies are operating in prohibited areas, exceeding authorized timber limits, committing fraud, and falsifying documents
Operators are modifying volume declarations to minimize taxes
Asian markets, led by China, are importing timber from the region (reaching USD 1 billion in 2019)

Why it matters

This situation is significant because the Congo Basin serves as the planet's second-largest "green lung," playing a crucial role in fighting climate change globally. The illegal deforestation threatens not only Cameroon's biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems but also undermines the national economy through billions in lost revenue. The widespread illegal timber trade demonstrates how weak governance and enforcement, combined with strong international demand, can overwhelm legal frameworks designed to protect critical environmental resources. The shift from European to Asian markets, particularly China becoming the leading trading partner, shows how illegal operators adapt to regulatory changes by finding less restrictive markets, making this a transnational issue with global climate implications.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices