In response to recent criticism reported in the press on January 8 and 9, 2026, the Ministry of Water and Forests broke its silence. Through an official statement, the authorities sought to justify the strategy of granting concessions for classified forests, a central pillar of the reforestation policy for 2030.

A strategic choice born from the ecological emergency

The ministry reiterates that Côte d'Ivoire is facing an alarming degradation of its forest cover. The assessment, made as early as 1999, is clear: public funding alone is no longer sufficient. Opening up to the private sector is therefore presented not as a sell-off of national assets, but as a sustainable financing solution for rehabilitating devastated areas.

This vision was confirmed at the 2015 Estates General , before being enshrined in the "Policy for the Preservation, Rehabilitation and Extension of Forests" adopted in 2018.

A legal and transparent framework

To put an end to accusations of opaque management, the ministerial department relies on two major texts:

1. The 2019 Forestry Code (Article 56): It explicitly authorizes the State to entrust the management of its forests to private entities, local authorities or communities.
2. The 2021 Decree: It defines the rules of the game for the 86 classified forests eligible for this scheme.

Did you know? The awarding of concessions is not a unilateral decision. It depends on an inter-ministerial advisory committee that examines each application closely to guarantee the conformity and rigor of the process.

The goal: The return of the forest by 2030

By clarifying these points, the ministry hopes to reassure the public. The stakes are high: transforming these concessions into genuine drivers of the country's green reconstruction. The ultimate goal remains the protection of national heritage and the fulfillment of Côte d'Ivoire's climate commitments.