This FSC® certification ensures that ROUGIER’s forests are managed responsibly and that the products derived from them meet FSC’s rigorous standards for sustainability, traceability, and social responsibility. With this achievement, all ROUGIER concessions in the Congo Basin are now FSC certified, bringing the company’s total certified area to nearly 1.5 million hectares.
“This achievement highlights our commitment to applying the highest environmental and social standards across all our activities, from forest to finished product and further consolidates our position as a key player in the certified tropical timber sector,” FSC Africa noted in a statement shared from ROUGIER’s official press release and LinkedIn announcement dated 6 October 2025.
A growing commitment to sustainable forestry in Congo
With ROUGIER’s latest certification, the Republic of Congo’s FSC-certified forest area now exceeds 3.6 million hectares, making it one of the leading countries in Africa for responsible forest management. Across the Congo Basin, FSC certification now covers close to 7 million hectares, and for the first time, FSC-certified forest area in Africa surpasses 11 million hectares.
The Republic of Congo continues to demonstrate leadership in sustainable forestry. Its low deforestation rates, pro-certification policies, and progressive 2020 Forest Code, which formally recognizes certification as a mechanism to strengthen responsible forest governance in the country.
Partnership and progress in the Congo Basin
“The Republic of Congo has made remarkable strides in promoting responsible forestry. This latest certification by ROUGIER not only strengthens the country’s leadership within the Congo Basin but also reinforces the global significance of Africa’s sustainably managed forests,” said Dr. Peter O. Alele, Regional Director, FSC Africa.
“This achievement reflects the growing momentum for FSC certification in the Congo Basin and reaffirms our shared commitment with partners and companies like Rougier to make responsible forestry the standard across Central and West Africa,” added Patrick Epie, Coordinator, Congo Basin and West Africa, FSC Africa.
“Having followed the entire certification process on the ground, I have witnessed the dedication and collaboration that made this possible. It’s a proud moment for sustainable forestry in the Congo Basin,” said Hypp Boumi Mfoubat, Certification Officer, Congo Basin, FSC Africa.
ROUGIER’s success underscores the growing momentum of responsible forest management in Central Africa and demonstrates the key role that FSC certification plays in promoting sustainable forestry practices and responsible value chains within the Congo Basin, one of the world’s most important forest ecosystems.
FSC Africa congratulates ROUGIER and its partners for this remarkable achievement and for their continued contribution to sustainable forest management and responsible timber production in the region.