TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SELF-SUFFICIENCY: AAFEBEN CONSOLIDATES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BAKA AND BANTOU COMMUNITIES

From 6 to 17 November 2025, AAFEBEN conducted a mission to monitor implementation activities in the municipalities of Mintom, Ngoyla and Lomié.

Written on Wednesday, November 19, 2025

After carrying out groundwork: needs assessment, organisational training, development of simplified business plans and establishment of small grant mechanisms. And after the allocations in preparation for the 2025 NTFP campaign (equipment to facilitate collection, storage facilities, and working capital), AAFEBEN is deploying a monitoring mission in the municipalities of Lomié, Mintom and Ngoyla as part of the GEF 7 project.

This outreach mission ensured that the allocated working capital is managed according to established principles of transparency and that specifications are being followed. This is an important step in ensuring the sustainability of the economic activities of Community-Based Organisations (CBOs).

As the NTFP campaign began in June, it was appropriate to conduct a monitoring mission to assess the groups' activities halfway through the campaign after a group sale. To date, several products have already been marketed with the support of AAFEBEN:

§  Nearly 11.976 tonnes of wild mango (Irvingia gabonensis) have already been sold for a total income of 16,366,000F for 148 people (44 men and 75 women).

§  Nearly 0.802 tonnes of rondelles (Afrostyrax lepidophyllus) have already been sold for a total income of 2,693,000 CFA francs for 12 people (2 men and 10 women).

§  Nearly 1.54 tonnes of Mbalaka (Pentaclethra macrophylla) for a total income of 825,000 CFA francs for 25 people (9 men and 16 women)

At the end of this monitoring mission, it appears that:

§  Cohesion within the groups has improved

§  The funds made available to them are being managed rationally

§  The notebooks are being kept up to date

The monitoring also revealed some inconsistencies, and recommendations were made to the various groups, which will implement them with the support of the focal points that closely monitor the groups at the local level. This rigour is key to ensuring the success of the NTFP campaign with currently available products such as Ndjansang and four-sided timber. The challenge is to transform the potential of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) into a sustainable and stable source of income for the Baka and Bantu populations.