The Minister of Water and Forests, Jacques Assahoré Konan, officially launched a national compensatory reforestation campaign this Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Mamakro (Fresco commune). On this occasion, the Minister delivered a firm message: from now on, contributing to the restoration of forest cover is a strict obligation for all natural resource operators.

This initiative is central to the national forest restoration strategy. Its launch took place during a working visit aimed at evaluating the concession agreements between the State and the private sector for the rehabilitation of the agro-forests of Okromodou (Fresco) and Monogaga (San Pedro).

"Those who exploit must replenish": The tone is set.

The minister marked a clear break with past practices by emphasizing the environmental responsibility of economic actors:

"The time when economic exploitation was separate from environmental responsibility is over. From now on, those who exploit must contribute to restoration."

This regulatory injunction directly targets several key sectors:

1. Holders of forestry permits;
2. Agribusinesses and mining operators;
3. Large construction companies;
4. Any actor whose activity exerts pressure on nature.

Jacques Assahoré Konan assured that his department would ensure the rigorous application of this principle. He also commended the efforts of his teams in the field, urging them to demonstrate absolute firmness against deforestation and illegal gold mining.

A major challenge: To return to 20% forest cover by 2030

The primary emergency is environmental. In just a few decades, Côte d'Ivoire has seen its forest heritage collapse, shrinking from 16 million hectares to less than 3 million hectares in 2020 (barely 9.2% of the national territory). This dramatic decline is the combined result of extensive agriculture, urbanization, bushfires, and unsustainable logging.

The ambition of the Ivorian state

Indicator	Situation in 2020	Target 2030
Forest cover rate	9.2%	20%

To reverse this trend, the government is relying on a strict policy of preserving and expanding forests. The current Forestry Code fully integrates the private sector into the rehabilitation of classified forests and agroforestry systems.

The minister concluded by expressing the State's gratitude to the private partners already involved, while calling for a historic collective mobilization including territorial authorities, local communities and technical partners.