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On the Path to Success: 9,200 hectares of trees planted in 12 years of operation

Camille Kongolo

May 11, 2025

A man looks out over a reforested valley from a lookout point.

9,200 hectares reforested in the Democratic Republic of the Congo thanks to the Faja Lobi project: a concrete response to climate challenges.

Map of the Idiofa region showing reforested areas and areas to be reforested, along with their locations in the DRC and in Kwilu Province.
Faja Lobi's areas of operation in the Idiofa territory

Since our launch in 2012, we have been firmly committed to combating climate change through reforestation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. What began as a small, grassroots project led by a visionary NGO has grown into an initiative with significant environmental, social, and economic impact.

A landscape of hills covered with young plantations under a gray sky.
Reforested Hills in the Idiofa Region

An Impressive Growth Story

By the end of 2025, the project will have reforested 10,000 hectares, primarily with native tree species adapted to the Congolese ecosystem. This reforestation effort is not merely a planting initiative: it is part of a long-term vision to reach 50,000 hectares in order to sustainably restore degraded landscapes, protect biodiversity, and improve the resilience of local communities in the face of the effects of climate change.

Aerial view of a large plantation laid out in rows, crisscrossed by trails, at the Makanga site.
Makanga: 1,600 hectares reforested using agroforestry
A valley covered with young trees, with a plowed field in the foreground.
A young, replanted forest

Reforestation and the Fight Against Climate Change

Reforestation is now recognized as one of the most effective natural solutions for mitigating climate change. Trees capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, store carbon in their biomass, improve soil fertility, regulate the water cycle, and reduce the risk of erosion. In a country like the DRC, which has one of the world’s largest forest reserves but is experiencing severe deforestation, every hectare reforested is a victory for the planet.

Young trees planted on a plot of savanna, with the caption “Planting in degraded savanna.”
Planting in the Degraded Savanna

Our project (Faja Lobi) is part of this effort, restoring forested areas while creating opportunities for rural communities. It’s not just about planting trees, but about revitalizing entire ecosystems, promoting sustainable agroforestry practices, and training a new generation of nature stewards.

Farmers, baskets in hand, walk up a hill covered with young plantations.
Planters on the reforested hills

A community-based and inclusive approach

A nursery worker smiles amid a pile of seeds in a wooden shed.
At the nursery, among the seeds

Local communities are at the heart of our work. The Faja Lobi project prioritizes a participatory approach, involving local residents in every stage of the process: from preparing the nurseries to managing the plantations.

Workers are filling and lining up bags of soil for the future seedlings.
Filling the bags at the nursery
A group of men raise their arms in celebration next to a solar panel.
The field planting team

Awareness-raising activities, technical training, and social support programs (scholarships for farmers’ children, the creation of green jobs, etc.) strengthen community buy-in and ensure the project’s sustainability.

An Ambitious Vision for the Future

With 9,200 hectares by 2025, we are building on a decade of effort and commitment. But our vision extends far beyond that. Our long-term goal is to reforest 50,000 hectares, thereby making a significant contribution to the restoration of the nation’s forest cover and the fight against rural poverty.

Aerial view of a house with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by a dense forest.
A House in the Heart of the Restored Forest

By supporting Faja Lobi, you are investing in a greener, fairer, and more resilient future. Together, let’s make the DRC a model for reforestation and sustainable development in Africa.

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