It is very clear that forestry education in Africa is in the process of declining both in terms of relevance and quality. The impact of this is becoming visible in research, education and extension systems. The long-term effects of this are hard to predict, but they are likely to be adverse in the areas of agronomic sustainability, biodiversity and environmental conservation and wood/tree products availability and affordability. All these have wider implications on livelihoods and the economic development of Africa.
This paper would not have materialized without the FAO funding for the surveys and strong encouragement of Dr Oudara Souvanavong and Mr. Pieter VanLierop. I wish to acknowledge the support of all national institutions shown in annex 1 and specifically all persons listed there as respondents for assisting in putting the data together for their institutions. Additional support in compiling the data was received from Dr James Kung'u of Kenyatta University in Kenya and Professor Ostin Chivinge of the University of Zimbabwe. Finally, I wish to thank ICRAF for taking interest and permitting me to use staff time to develop this synthesis document.
