Faja Lobi

Overview

Based in Idiofa (Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo), this initiative aims to develop an integrated agroforestry, sustainable charcoal and food processing model to address deforestation, food insecurity, and low-efficiency agricultural value chains. Led by FAJA LOBI, a locally established NGO with over a decade of experience in reforestation and community development, the project combines plantation-grown acacia, cassava cultivation and efficient processing technologies within a single production platform.

The project seeks to establish a flagship integrated production unit combining a low-emission charcoal retort, cassava flour drying, and palm oil processing facilities. Biomass supply would rely on a mix of FAJA LOBI-owned plantations and structured engagement with local smallholders. Following a feasibility and structuring phase, the project aims to pilot operations before scaling and progressively transferring ownership to local cooperatives.

The Challenge

DRC faces one of the highest deforestation rates globally, with slash-and-burn shifting cultivation and unsustainable charcoal production driving the loss of approximately 0.5 million hectares of primary forest annually. Cassava production is the single largest agricultural driver of deforestation, representing more than 70 percent of national agricultural output and being predominantly produced through smallholder shifting cultivation.

At the same time, charcoal remains the primary household energy source for most of the population. Traditional earth-kiln production methods are highly inefficient, contributing to forest degradation, high greenhouse gas emissions, and significant exposure to smoke and particulate matter associated with adverse health outcomes. These pressures are compounded by widespread rural poverty, limited market access for smallholder farmers, and low productivity across agricultural and energy value chains, particularly affecting women.

Canopy Trust’s involvement – technical assistance

Canopy Trust has approved a Technical Assistance package to support the project’s feasibility and structuring phase, with the objective of de-risking future investment and strengthening environmental and social performance.

The Technical Assistance focuses on three core areas:

• Project and financial structuring, including review of the business model, investment perimeter, regulatory requirements, and commercial assumptions.
• Stakeholder mapping and supply chain assessment to structure sustainable smallholder engagement, secure biomass supply, and confirm market demand.
• Impact, MRV, and ESIA development to assess deforestation mitigation, greenhouse gas savings, and social impacts, while ensuring compliance with the Central African Forest Initiative and ESG requirements.

This early-stage support is intended to strengthen project design, confirm technical and commercial viability, and prepare the platform for future scale-up.

Our target impact

The project should deliver environmental and socio-economic benefits by addressing key drivers of deforestation while strengthening inclusive and resilient rural value chains.