Development of a User-Friendly and Customised District Forest Management Plans Database

Challenge

For many years, district teams within the Rwanda Forest Authority (RFA) managed forestry information using a mix of Excel files, local documents, and separate paper or digital maps.

These tools supported day-to-day work but made it difficult to keep data updated, consistent, and accessible across the country.

RFA recognized an opportunity: create a unified, digital workflow that would strengthen planning, coordination, and long-term sustainability.

Between 2018–2020, with upgrades and maintenance in 2021, Arbonaut partnered with RFA to make it happen.

A centralized database for district forest management plans

The first step was building a user-friendly District Forest Management Plan (DFMP) database to replace disconnected files and local storage.

The new system provided:

  • A single national repository for forest‑related information
  • Clear, consistent workflows for entering and updating data
  • Easier access for district users managing daily forestry operations
  • Transparency for district-level forest planning
Workshop on the software

Capacity building workshop

Final capacity building workshop on the use of software

Final training in 2020

District forest management plan database

The platform's user interface

A national platform for monitoring & evaluation

To strengthen long-term planning and national monitoring, Arbonaut also developed a Forest Monitoring and Evaluation System integrated directly into the DFMP database.

The platform helps district and national authorities:

  • Track key forestry indicators
  • Monitor progress over time
  • Identify emerging patterns
  • Support strategic, data‑driven decision‑making

Key features

  • A modern GIS-based system with all forestry data stored in one central database
  • Web-based access with role-based permissions
  • Monitoring tools for district and national-level forest indicators
  • Improved transparency, efficiency, and consistency
  • Mobile app for easy field data collection
  • Traceability from field to database, ensuring quality

Arbonaut is honored to have supported RFA in building a modern, sustainable system that strengthens Rwanda’s long-term forestry goals.