Zambia Timber Legality Risk Dashboard
By Forest Trends View PublicationDespite improvements to the legislative framework for forest management, particularly over the last decade, illegal logging is still reportedly widespread in Zambia. The majority of Zambia’s timber trade is with China, where high proportions of logs and sawnwood are exported illegally without valid harvest/sawmill licenses. Intermittent harvest moratoria and export bans for some species have been announced publicly in recent years, without written legislation which has undermined enforcement.
Corruption in the forest sector has been tied to the highest-level political actors. Regional trafficking of illegal timber remains a problem and is linked with the illegal wildlife trade. Enforcement remains weak and continues to undermine harvest and export bans.