Youth knowledge, engagement, and challenges in forest management and governance in Africa: a literature review

Africa’s forests are vital for biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate stability, yet they face increasing threats from anthropogenic activities and climate change. As the continent’s youth population grows, their role in sustainable forest management becomes more critical. A literature review of empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 found that urbanisation and modernisation are eroding traditional forest knowledge, though many rural youths remain dependent on the forests. Barriers such as insecure land tenure, limited training, exclusion from decision-making, and lack of support hinder youth engagement. Despite these challenges, young people show strong interest in sustainable forest use and conservation, though urban youth perspectives are underrepresented. To enhance youth involvement, the review recommends inclusive policies, better education on forest management, and integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge. Empowering African youth as conservationists and sustainable forest managers is crucial for addressing environmental challenges; future research should prioritize women and male youth from rural as well as urban areas, as both these groups remain underrepresented in the existing literature.