Local timber: the supply chain we need to rebuild

Importing Scandinavian pine to build in the Sahel is a logistical absurdity that no longer surprises anyone. Yet the region has remarkable species — provided we know how to manage them.

Four species to know

Vène (Pterocarpus erinaceus). Hard, dense, very stable. Ideal for furniture and external joinery. Caution: a species under heavy pressure, to be sourced only through traced supply chains.

Gmelina (Gmelina arborea). Fast-growing, light, easy to work. Excellent for secondary structures and panels. A plantation species, therefore repeatable.

Néré (Parkia biglobosa). Often overlooked in joinery, remarkable in solid tops. Strong grain, warm tone.

Cailcedrat (Khaya senegalensis). African mahogany. Superb, but slow-growing: reserve it for exceptional pieces.

The real issue: traceability

Without a traced supply chain, using local timber can mean financing illegal deforestation. We require a certificate of origin for every order, and we refuse untraced vène — even at the cost of disappointing a client.

Where it breaks down

Drying. The region badly lacks kilns. Poorly dried timber moves, splits, and discredits the whole sector. In our view it is the most profitable investment point for African design over the next ten years.