Bamboo is widely recognized as one of nature's most versatile plants, with economic benefits that have enormous potential for Africa.

Recognizing this potential, Cameroonian President Paul Biya visited the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) headquarters in Beijing on March 23, as part of his state visit to China.

INBAR is the first intergovernmental organization based in China. It has 43 members, including 18 in Africa. The organization encourages bamboo and rattan's use for sustainable development, including poverty alleviation, climate change mitigation and land restoration.

Biya's visit included a tour of INBAR's bamboo and rattan showroom, where he looked at handicrafts, furniture and even drainage pipes made from plant fiber. The president expressed his interest in the large number of products that can be made from bamboo and rattan, including charcoal. At the end of the tour, Biya presented INBAR with a signed statement, congratulating the organization on its work. According to Biya, "bamboo and rattan are very significant for sustainable development in Africa and across the world."

Fast-growing, with thousands of uses, bamboo and rattan are increasingly being seen as tools for poverty alleviation, climate change mitigation and land restoration. In Cameroon, bamboo is being incorporated into climate-smart farming and land restoration practices, as well as to make clean-burning and renewable charcoal. Biya believes there is even more potential for bamboo and rattan to help his country's growth.

"Cameroon looks forward to working more closely with INBAR to develop our national bamboo and rattan industry, and to inspire sustainable development across Central Africa," he said.

Bamboo and rattan grow abundantly across Africa, and there is significant potential for these plants to create jobs and drive green growth, according to Hans Friederich, Director General of INBAR.

"China's bamboo industry is worth $30 billion and employs almost 10 million people, so there are lots of experiences to be shared and opportunities for cooperation between China and Cameroon," said Friederich.