October 2025 – The third episode of the TRANS-SAHARA Expert Talks Series brought together leading minds to address a timely and pressing topic: “The State and Future of Forest Certification in Africa.” At the heart of the discussion was the vital role certification plays in ensuring environmental integrity, enhancing market access, and advancing sustainable development on the continent.
The session featured Prof. Demel Teketay, an esteemed forest scientist and practitioner with more than forty years of academic and research experience spanning multiple continents. Prof. Teketay has served in numerous influential roles throughout his career. He was Full Professor and Founding Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), and has held leadership and academic positions in Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, Ethiopia, Sweden, and the Netherlands. These include roles as Executive Manager in Kenya, Associate Professor and Research Fellow in Botswana, and Regional Director in Ghana. His academic journey has also taken him to Sweden as a Post-doctoral Fellow and to the Netherlands as a Postgraduate Fellow. In Ethiopia, he served in various capacities including Director General, Director of Forest Research, Assistant Professor, Lecturer, and Extension Agent.
Prof. Teketay holds a PhD in Forest Vegetation Ecology from Sweden, an MSc in Plant Taxonomy from the UK, and a BSc in Agriculture from Ethiopia. He has authored over 300 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, policy briefs, and technical reports—many of which are accessible through his ResearchGate profile. Having concluded his tenure at BUAN in February 2025, he now works as an independent professional based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Guiding the conversation was Dr. Mengistie Kindu of the Technical University of Munich, whose research focuses on the application of geo-information systems to land use systems and agroforestry. His moderation brought depth and clarity to the discussion, helping to frame forest certification within broader environmental and socio-economic contexts.
This episode offered rich insights into how forest certification can serve as a transformative tool, supporting sustainable land use, improving forest governance, and fostering climate resilience across Africa. It also reinforced the importance of collaborative, cross-border efforts in achieving sustainable futures.
The Expert Talks Series continues to provide a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge, showcasing innovation, and building bridges between Africa and Europe.
Watch the recording here: Expert Talks | Trans-Sahara
