Nairobi, June 29th, 2026 – The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has called on governments, investors, producers and industry stakeholders across Africa to place sustainability at the heart of the continent’s rapidly expanding palm oil sector, warning that future growth must not come at the expense of people, the environment and long-term prosperity.
Speaking during the RSPO Africa Supply Chain Forum 2026 in Nairobi, RSPO Head, Africa, Market Transformation, Elikplim Agbitor, said Africa is emerging as the new frontier for palm oil production due to favourable climatic conditions, the availability of arable land and a growing labour force. However, he stressed that sustainability must remain central to the sector’s development.
“If we do not bear sustainability at every step of the development process, we may be able to meet regional demand for palm oil in the future, but at what cost to the planet and people?” Agbitor said.
He urged stakeholders to keep sustainability front and centre as they work to meet rising demand for palm oil, noting that responsible production creates long-term value for businesses while safeguarding communities and ecosystems.
The RSPO is a global non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation established in 2004 to transform the palm oil sector through sustainable practices. Its membership includes growers, processors, traders, manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, environmental and social non-governmental organisations.
Agbitor explained that while membership in the RSPO is voluntary, compliance with its Standards is mandatory once organisations commit to certification.
According to Agbitor, the RSPO’s sustainability framework is built on three pillars: People, Planet and Prosperity.
The People pillar promotes respect for human rights; fair labour practices and protection of the interests of workers, smallholder farmers and local communities. The Planet pillar focuses on environmental stewardship, including preventing deforestation, protecting high conservation value areas, conserving biodiversity and promoting responsible use of agricultural inputs. The Prosperity pillar encourages ethical business conduct, transparency, compliance with national laws and long-term business viability.
Agbitor highlighted the business case for sustainable palm oil, noting that companies adopting sustainable practices can benefit from de-risked supply chains, improved access to finance and stronger returns for investors.
He further emphasised the critical role of smallholder farmers in Africa’s palm oil industry, noting that an estimated 70 per cent of the continent’s palm oil production comes from smallholders.
To support their participation in the sustainable palm oil supply chain, the RSPO has developed a dedicated Independent Smallholder Standard that simplifies certification requirements and reduces compliance costs. Through the RSPO Smallholder Support Fund, farmers receive financial and technical assistance to organise themselves into legally recognised groups, establish governance systems and undergo certification audits.
The fund has already supported projects in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania and Sierra Leone, with more than US$800,000 invested across six projects. The first certified independent smallholder group in Africa, comprising over 5,000 farmers in Sierra Leone, was a beneficiary of the initiative, and remains the single largest RSPO-certified independent smallholder group globally.
Agbitor said these investments demonstrate the importance of partnerships and targeted support in ensuring that smallholder farmers are not left behind as Africa’s sustainable palm oil sector grows.
As demand for responsibly-produced palm oil continues to rise globally, the RSPO reiterated its commitment to working with governments, businesses, financial institutions and farming communities to build a resilient, inclusive and sustainable palm oil industry across Africa.