Comprehensive Plantation Inventory for Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation PLC

Challenge

Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) PLC manages a large, geographically dispersed plantation covering a net area of 54,482 ha supplying timber to domestic and export markets. To run harvesting and silviculture efficiently, ZAFFICO needs accurate, stand-level information on wood quantity and quality, including volume, growth, structure, and health, and a reliable way to keep that information up to date.

Before the collaboration, key plantation datasets and workflows were distributed across different sources, lengthening the process of consistently producing reports and aligning compartments, crews, and schedules with production targets and long-term sustainability goals. In Zambia’s high-pressure forestry environment, with fire risk and fiber supply constraints, ZAFFICO needed a secure inventory baseline with a single source to support planning, valuation, and investment decisions.

Arbonaut Implemented 3 Services

1. Forest Resource Inventory (LiDAR + field plots)

We implemented a LiDAR-based plantation inventory, combining airborne laser scanning with field reference plots to produce statistically validated estimates and stand-level insights.

  • Growing stock
  • Diameter and height structures
  • Increment
  • Health indicators
  • Carbon potential

2. Forest Information Management System (FIMS)

Forest Information Management System interface

We developed a tailored Forest Information Management System (FIMS) to bring key plantation data into one place and give ZAFFICO teams a clear view of forest operations that supports faster reporting, consistent planning and decision-making.

Key FIMS capabilities:

  • Harmonized attributes
  • Role‑based access
  • Compatibility with existing spatial data flows

The platform was developed iteratively using an agile Scrum approach, guided by workshops and hands-on feedback from ZAFFICO’s technical staff to ensure alignment with operational workflows.

3. Five-year Forest Management Plan

Using the forest inventory results as the analytical foundation, Arbonaut prepared a five-year Forest Management Plan covering production outlook and operational scenarios, including:

  • Production forecasts
  • Harvesting scenarios
  • Silvicultural planning
  • Spatial recommendations

Complementary assessments reviewed seedling and nursery practices, FSC certification gaps, valuation methodologies aligned with IAS 41 (Valuation of Biological Assets), and environmental and social considerations across plantation operations.

”The collaboration with Arbonaut has given ZAFFICO a strategic advantage in sustainable plantation management, modernizing operations through a secure, integrated Forest Information Management System that ensures accurate data, enhanced visibility, and greater confidence in strategic planning.” — Aaron Chipongoma, Operations Head at Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation PLC

Results & Impact

  • An integrated inventory + planning + data platform program developed and implemented since the start of our partnership in 2021
  • Supported management of a net area of 54,482 hectares of pine and eucalyptus plantations
  • Provided statistically validated estimates to inform harvesting, silviculture, and longer-term production forecasting
  • Improved accessibility and consistency of plantation data through a single system with role-based access and reporting
  • Built internal capability through targeted training in GIS, field inventory, data management, and system administration

Targeted training strengthened ZAFFICO’s capacity in GIS, field inventory, data management, and system administration.

Plantation field work in Zambia
Canopy height model for plantation inventories
Field work with ZAFFICO in Zambia's plantations

Despite logistical constraints and external factors such as seasonality and COVID-19 restrictions, the team-maintained progress through a combination of on-site and remote collaboration.

Future plans

The collaboration has progressed into a new phase of software development focused on enhancing data management and expanding the functional capabilities of the Forest Information Management System.

“Zambia and Finland have been collaborating in the forestry sector for a long time. We at Arbonaut have also had the pleasure of working with the excellent professionals at ZAFFICO over many years. By working closely together to overcome complex forest resource assessment challenges, our mutual understanding and trust have deepened. This collaboration has laid a strong foundation for future growth and mutual success—we are happy to be part of ZAFFICO’s African forestry business success story.” — Jari Kinnunen, CEO of Arbonaut

About ZAFFICO

Incorporated in 1982, Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) PLC is the largest forestry company in Zambia. Headquartered in Ndola, Zambia, ZAFFICO plays a crucial role in the sustainable supply of high-quality timber products to both domestic and international markets.

ZAFFICO operates across multiple provinces, managing a net area of over 54,482 hectares of pine and eucalyptus plantations in the Copperbelt, Luapula, Muchinga, Northern, and North-Western regions.