Cycle of Conference for the foundation and development of the African Bamboo Institute.

“Bamboo! It is a “wonder plant” that is uniquely blessed. Agronomists in Africa believe it can restore degraded landscapes while economists think it is a potential “green gold,” and a silver bullet for design and architecture that is already attracting a global market. 

Bamboo—the highly versatile giant grass that can grow in almost any kind of climate and thrive in the poorest of soils—has been in existence for hundreds of years in Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa. Yet for a long time the potential of this fastest-growing plant on earth, with recorded growth rates of up to one metre per day for some species, remained largely unexploited.
It was not until recently that widespread commercialization of bamboo began taking root, spurring hopes of generating income and creating jobs for the rural poor.

The world bamboo market is growing, led by China and an increasing demand for sustainable products in Europe and the United States. According to the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), an intergovernmental organization registered with the United Nations that promotes the growing of bamboo and rattan for economic and environmental gains, the global bamboo economy is now valued at $60 billion, and is a potential income generator for rural communities.

To tap into this lucrative green economy, African governments and the private sector have begun positioning themselves to commercialize bamboo. The profit potential has become even greater as environmentalists link bamboo with climate change mitigation, and the possibility of increased income through carbon credits.”
(source: UN Org -Africa Renewal – Ziporrah Musau)

About the African Bamboo Institute