NAIROBI, Kenya, June 29 – African governments and industry players have been urged to integrate sustainability into the expansion of the continent’s palm oil industry as production grows to meet rising regional and global demand.
Speaking during the RSPO Africa Supply Chain Forum 2026 in Nairobi, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Head of Africa Market Transformation Elikplim Agbitor said Africa is well positioned to expand palm oil production because of its favourable climate, available arable land and growing workforce.
However, he cautioned that production should not come at the expense of the environment or local communities.
He warned that while increased production could help meet the continent’s palm oil demand, failure to incorporate sustainable practices could lead to environmental degradation and social challenges.
Agbitor said the RSPO’s sustainability framework is anchored on three pillars—People, Planet and Prosperity—which promote protection of workers’ rights, environmental conservation and responsible business practices.
He noted that although RSPO membership is voluntary, organisations seeking certification are required to comply with the body’s sustainability standards.
The organisation also highlighted the role of smallholder farmers, who account for an estimated 70 percent of Africa’s palm oil production.
To support their participation in certified supply chains, the RSPO has developed a dedicated certification standard for independent smallholders and provides financial and technical assistance through its Smallholder Support Fund.
According to the organisation, the fund has invested more than $800,000 in projects across Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania and Sierra Leone to help farmers organise into certified groups and improve access to sustainable markets.
The discussions come as African countries seek to expand agricultural production while balancing environmental protection, climate commitments and growing demand for sustainably sourced commodities.
