Forestry in East Africa
Commercial Forestry in East Africa:
The Next Growth Frontier for Innovation,
Investment & Sustainable Sector Development
Organized by
Gatsby Africa
Time and Venue
Time: 23 September 2026, 14:00-15:30
Venue: 2/F Meeting Room 16-17
This side event will present commercially relevant opportunities for global firms in processing, technology transfer, sustainable sourcing and market development and identify partnerships and enabling conditions required to convert the region’s plantation resource base into scalable global supply and manufacturing investment cluster through discussion with industry leaders, government representatives, technology providers, and certification bodies in East Africa.
Who Should Attend
- Global and Chinese buyers, traders, and brands sourcing wood products
- Technology providers (genetics, nursery tech, traceability, processing machinery)
- Development finance institutions and investors focused on East Africa's forestry sector
- Donors and policy makers
Programme and Schedule
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Time
Events and Topics
13:00-14:00
Registration and welcome drink
14:00-14:10
Opening: Commercial Forestry in East Africa - The Next Growth Frontier for Innovation, Investment and Sustainable Sector Development
Presenter: Nick Embden, Deputy Director, Commercial Forestry at Gatsby Africa
Presenter: Nick Embden, Deputy Director, Commercial Forestry at Gatsby Africa
14:10-14:40
Panel: Sector Development, Investment opportunities, and value chain innovation in East Africa
Panelists:
· Mr. Denis Ainebyona, Commissioner Industry and Technology, Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, government representative from East Africa: Evolution of East African sector development and next phase of industrial policy
· Mr. Samule Youming Wang, Director, Zurkt Group: Chinese private investment in the forestry sector in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya
· Mr. Michal Brink, Chief Executive Officer, CMO: Developing the EA smallholder supply chain for high value markets
Panelists:
· Mr. Denis Ainebyona, Commissioner Industry and Technology, Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, government representative from East Africa: Evolution of East African sector development and next phase of industrial policy
· Mr. Samule Youming Wang, Director, Zurkt Group: Chinese private investment in the forestry sector in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya
· Mr. Michal Brink, Chief Executive Officer, CMO: Developing the EA smallholder supply chain for high value markets
14:40-15:20
Interactive Q/A and roundtable discussions
Moderator:Mr. Nick Embden, Deputy Director, Commercial Forestry at Gatsby Africa and Gatsby Africa team
Participants:Panelists and all attendees
Moderator:Mr. Nick Embden, Deputy Director, Commercial Forestry at Gatsby Africa and Gatsby Africa team
Participants:Panelists and all attendees
15:20-15:30
Concluding remarks
Contact Person
Gatsby Africa
Ms. Jessie Yan - jessie.yan@gatsbyafrica.org.uk