Congo’s oldest and largest logging company, SODEFOR, is at the center of debate in Mai-Ndombe province. If for some, it respects the forest codes in force, for others, it does not contribute enough to the well-being of the population which allows them to exploit their region.
The province of Maï-Ndombe extends over more than 6% of the national forest cover and represents a significant source of revenue for companies in the sector, including SODEFOR. This company mainly exploits timber from the provinces of Maï-Ndombe, Mongala and Tshopo, which it sells locally or for export.
However, the population of the province lives in precarious conditions, without electricity or running water. The roads are unpaved, making it difficult to access basic services. For many, SODEFOR does not contribute enough to the development of the region. The infrastructures it has built are often not very durable and the specifications it has agreed to respect are not profitable enough for the local population.
Moreover, SODEFOR is accused of not being sufficiently transparent about its activities. Several civil society organizations are calling for the regulation of the forestry sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo to better regulate the exploitation of natural resources.
Despite these criticisms, SODEFOR remains one of the most important companies in the forest sector in Congo. To contribute more to the development of the province of Maï-Ndombe, it will have to rethink its social and environmental policies and be more transparent about its activities.