In 2016, the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) launched the East and Southern Africa Forest Observatory (OFESA) to enhance sustainable forest management and governance through reliable data and knowledge. This report reviews the data-sharing landscape across OFESA member countries, examining existing regulations, identifying gaps and legal barriers—particularly around institutional arrangements and intellectual property—and proposing improvements. It also highlights comparative approaches and best practices for data-sharing agreements, based on insights from national-level informants including government agencies and research institutions. The findings offer strategic recommendations to strengthen OFESA’s data-sharing structures and inform broader applications across Africa.
Publisher
CIFOR-ICRAF: Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, Kenya
Publication year
2025
Authors
Kibugi, R.; Tsanga, R.; Ombogoh, D.B.; Amugune, I.; Nyaga, L.; Cerutti, P.O.
Language
English
Keywords
governance, forest management, climate change, data analysis, data sharing, monitoring, knowledge management, legal frameworks, policy analysis, intellectual property, local government
Geographic
Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique
