• A farmer carrying harvested banana / FAO

The global forest sector provides employment for approximately 42 million people, spanning activities within forests as well as industries, services and supply chains dependent on forest resources, a new international study has revealed.

The study was jointly conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Thünen Institute of Forestry of Germany.

According to the report, the 42 million jobs are distributed across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, highlighting the forest sector’s significant contribution to global employment and livelihoods.

FAO said the new data provides an important basis for understanding the human dimension of forests, noting that previous estimates were hampered by fragmented data and incomplete country coverage.

“Until now, however, fragmented data and incomplete country coverage have left significant gaps in the global picture – and no breakdown by gender,” FAO said.

The organisation noted that discussions about forests often focus on their products and environmental benefits, while their role as workplaces and sources of livelihoods receives comparatively less attention.

“When we talk about forests, we tend to focus on what they provide – wood, non-wood forest products, raw materials, and the foundation of a sustainable bioeconomy. Rarely do we talk about them as workplaces. And rarer still do we ask who, exactly, works in them,” FAO stated.
The agency stressed that reliable employment data is critical to the development of policies aimed at building a sustainable and inclusive green economy.
It said internationally comparable data on forest-sector employment would enable governments and policymakers to better understand the people whose livelihoods depend on forests and develop policies that protect both workers and forest resources.
Beyond employment, forests provide ecosystem services that are vital to environmental sustainability and economic development. They also supply renewable resources that form the foundation of emerging sustainable bioeconomies.

• An Uber driver at work

Ride-hailing company, Uber, has shut down its operations in Nigeria.

In a statement, the company, which came into Nigeria in 2014, said its exit is effective from September 2, 2026.

“After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria, effective September 2, 2026.”

“Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers.

“Whether it was a morning commute, a ride to see loved ones, or exploring the city, thank you for trusting the platform to connect you to a driver to get you there safely. We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

Uber said said its plan is to support drivers, riders and local team members through the transition.

• Allawee logo

Nigerian card-issuing fintech Allawee is shutting down its business and personal account services from December 1, 2026.

This follows its acquisition by Pay Stack.

Accordingly, customers have been given until November 30 to withdraw their funds and make alternative arrangements.

The company disclosed the decision in emails sent to customers, according to TechCabal, explaining that its technology now operates within Paystack following the latter’s acquisition of Allawee in 2025.

Allawee warned that payments sent to its account numbers from December 1, 2026 will fail, while its cards will also stop working, regardless of the expiry dates printed on them.

Customers have been advised to withdraw their balances before the deadline, provide new bank details to people or businesses that regularly pay them, and replace saved Allawee card information on subscriptions and other recurring payments.Allawee said customers would not lose their money because of the shutdown. “Your money will remain yours,” the company said.