Forests for the Future: How Sustainable Forestry Is Shaping Angola’s Green Economy
As the world accelerates its transition to nature-positive economies, Angola is positioning itself as a continental leader in sustainable forestry. At COP30 in Brazil, the Angola Sovereign Wealth Fund (FSDEA) showcased “Esplendor Florestal” — a transformative, long-term investment to combine ecological restoration, industrial development and climate-resilient land management. Verterra is proud to be assisting FSDEA and Esplendor Florestal with this transition.
More than a forestry project, Esplendor Florestal represents a new national economic strategy: one where responsible land stewardship becomes a driver of prosperity, climate resilience and global competitiveness for Angola.
Saplings growing in one of the project nurseries
A Vision for Angola’s Green Economy
Situated across the provinces of Benguela and Huambo, Esplendor Florestal is a flagship venture designed to support national economic diversification, reduce import dependency, and build a new industrial base around sustainable timber production.
As Esplendor Administrator-General Ludi Mawete explained in a recent article in OPAIS, the project is “transforming soil into life - and nature into the future of Angola.”
Backed by the FSDEA, the project reflects Angola’s commitment to renewable resource development, sustainable production systems, long-term community prosperity and responsible climate action.
With internationally recognised silviculture practices and ecological engineering expertise provided by Verterra, the project applies global best practice to Angolan conditions, supporting the country’s ambition to become a regional forestry reference point.
World-Class Silviculture at Continental Scale
The numbers alone tell a powerful story.
· 4,000 hectares established to date
· 4.5 million trees planted to date
· 7,000ha/yr planting target
· 10 million seedlings annual nursery capacity in development
· 1.5 milion³ of sustainable timber projected each year
· 15,000 seedlings allocated for future reforestation and urban greening
Based on in-depth assessments and research, species are selected for Angola’s climate and soil profiles as well as long-term productivity targets that combine resilience, rapid growth cycles and suitability for multiple commercial uses. With Verterra providing technical support, the project integrates ecological engineering principles into every step - from soil preparation and hydrology to species selection and sustainable harvest planning and logistics.
This is Verterra’s Performance Ecosystem in action:
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Prove — environmental baselines, geospatial mapping, and monitoring
Improve — climate-smart planting, soil restoration, and landscape design
Value — timber, carbon, biodiversity and local livelihood benefits
Building the Foundations of a New Industrial Ecosystem
Esplendor Florestal is designed not only to cultivate forests but to catalyse new industries.
In the short term, the plantation will supply electricity poles essential for regional energy distribution, telecommunications and construction - reducing reliance on imports and reinforcing value chains within Angola.
Over the longer term, plans are in development for a timber-based industry such as pulp and paper processing, wood-based panel manufacturing and timber-based industrial inputs. These facilities will attract new investment, create skilled employment and enable Angola to compete as a continental player in sustainable timber production.
Climate Benefits on a Global Scale
The carbon sequestration potential of the project is significant, with more than 12 million tonnes of CO₂e expected to be stored over the plantation lifecycle. However, the scale of the ecological benefit goes beyond carbon sequestration to include:
· stabilising soils and reducing erosion
· improving local watershed and microclimate conditions
· restoring degraded landscapes
· supporting biodiversity through habitat recovery
Regedor of Mbujiu, Evaristo Chipupa, notes the environmental shift already visible:
“Before, there was no shade, no cover but now the climate is changing. These trees bring life, more rain, and water back to our land.”
The Verterra team were honoured to meet with local community leaders during an on-ground trip.
Empowering Local Communities
Social impact is a central pillar of the project which has already generated over 900 job and is expected to generate over 2000 jobs by 2027, including local contracting, training and skill development.
Local communities report increased employment opportunities for youth, improved environmental quality, strengthened regional pride and diversification of household incomes.
As Ludi Mawete of Esplendor Florestal states, the project is being built “with communities, not just near them.”
A Strategic Partnership for National Prosperity
According to Chris Berry, Verterra’s lead forester on the project, the partnership is “a living example of how global expertise and local ambition can shape a new model of sustainable development.”
Through this collaboration, Angola gains world-class forestry knowledge, capacity building and technical training, and is developing a blueprint for large-scale, climate-smart land management that can be replicated elsewhere.
Armando Manuel, FSDEA Chairman, reinforces the national importance:
“Angola will be known for its forests again - but this time, for forests that support our people, industry and climate resilience.”
A Model for African Leadership in Sustainable Forestry
With its combination of ecological restoration, value-added processing, job creation and climate action, Esplendor Florestal is emerging as one of the most ambitious sustainable forestry initiatives on the continent.
It is not simply growing trees. It is growing a new economic future for Angola.
This article is based on articles that appeared in OPAIS in November 2025. View the original article here: https://www.opais.ao/economia/esplendor-florestal-investimento-do-fundo-soberano-de-angola-apresentado-na-cop30-no-brasil/