East African countries have abundant bamboo resources, but the plant’s full potential for poverty alleviation, job creation and environmental protection has not been fully realized. Running from 2020 to June 2024, phase II of the Dutch-Sino-East Africa Bamboo Development Programme is working to transfer knowledge, technologies and policy experiences from Europe and Asia to help develop the bamboo sector in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, making it organized, efficient, vibrant and visible.

The first phase of this project has been implemented between 2016 and 2019.

Project objectives

The general objective of the program is to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits by developing inclusive and sustainable industrial and small and medium-sized enterprises’ bamboo value chains resulting in enhanced livelihood opportunities, food security, and environment management in East Africa. The program is expected to provide direct benefits to some 28,500 people, as well as restore 5000 hectares of degraded land with bamboo and enhance sustainable management practices for 5000 hectares of existing bamboo plantations and farms. The target groups include smallholder farmers, women, youth, small-to-medium enterprises and larger industries.

Specific objectives

l  Develop, upscale and diversify inclusive bamboo value chains, on both an industrial and a smaller-to-medium scale.

l  Restore and sustainably manage bamboo resources, contributing to decreased deforestation, enhanced carbon sinks, and increased climate resilience for ecosystems and livelihoods.

l  Enhance market development and policy and regulatory framework for increased public and private sector investment in the bambooindustry.