Teaching Notes: Olam Agri’s green dilemma: CSR promises and deforestation realities in Gabon Available to Purchase

In 2021, Olam Agri committed to zero deforestation in its palm oil supply chain by 2025. Yet in early 2025, Greenpeace Africa revealed that approximately12,000 ha of High Carbon Stock (HCS) forest had been cleared in its Gabon concession (Mouila region) between 2023 and 2025. This led to a suspension of expansion permits by Gabon’s Ministry of Forests (under the 2024 Forest Code) and strong criticism from NGOs, communities, investors and buyers.

Olam Palm Gabon (OPG), a 60:40 joint venture (JV) with the Gabonese government, manages 202,654 ha (63,000 planted), employs over 10,000 people and generates significant revenue while investing...