NTFPs are often presented as a major contributor to livelihoods, as sources of food and cash, particularly for rural communities. There are few data available in Gabon to confirm this common assertion. This study was conducted on 127 households in 14 villages around two timber concessions in the south-eastern and south-western regions of Gabon for a period of one year. Conventional socio‐economic survey tools such as focus group discussions, census and semi-structured interviews with households were used for gathering the data. Results reveal that rural people depend on various sources of food and income for their livelihoods, but overall, the current contribution of NTFPs obtained from plant sources is insignificant compared to those from other activities. Odika (Irvingia gabonensis), ‘atanga sauvage’ (Dacryodes buettneri), fungus (Termitomyces spp.) and Gabon nut (Coula edulis) represent the main forest products commonly harvested by rural people. They are used primarily for subsistence, but the surplus is sold. The results of this study suggest that: (1) the main components of decree No. 137/PR/MEFP of February 4, 2009, that prohibits the logging of five multiple-use tree species over a period of 25 years in order to safeguard the sources of NTFPs, should be reviewed; and (2) state authorities and partners should promote projects aimed at increasing public awareness of the NTFP sector. These projects should include a census of NTFPs (for food, for medicine and for services), characterize their uses and identify the markets of target products as well as the development potential of NTFPs. Such projects could help Gabon and other Congo Basin countries to fix norms/standards for sustainable natural resource management and for enhancing the contribution of NTFPs to the national economy. This will be particularly relevant in the wake of dwindling oil revenues and the need to diversify and promote other revenue sources in the country.

Widely consumed forest fruits in Gabon were analysed for nutrient and bioactive compositions and their potential contributions to meeting the nutrient requirements of consumers. Edible pulps of Panda oleosa Pierre, Gambeya lacourtiana (De Wild.) Aubrév. & Pellegr. and Poga oleosa Pierre contained substantial amounts of bioactive compounds; flavonoids (13.5–22.8 mg/100 g), proanthocyanins (2.4–7.6 mg/100 g), polyphenols (49.6–77.3 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (6.7–97.7 mg/100 g). The highest content of β-carotene (76.6 µg/100 g) was registered in fruits of Pseudospondias longifolia Engl. The fruits of P. oleosa had the highest essential minerals Fe, Zn and Se. If a child aged 1 to 3 years consumed about 200 g or if a non-lactating and non-pregnant woman consumed 300 g of Panda oleosa, Afrostyrax lepidophyllus Mildbr., G. lacourtiana, P. longifolia and Poga oleosa, they could obtain substantial DRI ranging between 20–100% for energy, vitamins C and E, iron, magnesium, iron and zinc. Forest fruits can considerably contribute towards the human nutrient requirements. Based on the results of this study, forest foods should be considered in formulating policies governing food and nutrition security in Gabon.

Wild meat is a significant source of food and income generation in Central Africa. However, there is little knowledge of how the assumed link between COVID‐19 and wild meat consumption has been discussed by the media and received by the public. In this study, we conducted media content analysis of 264 articles published in 2019–2020 related to wild meat consumption in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Gabon and Republic of the Congo and carried out mobile phone surveys with 3644 respondents in Cameroon and DRC in 2021; among those who answered the area question, 912 respondents were from villages, 1166 from towns, and 1199 from cities. We found that COVID‐19 increased media discussion of wild meat across all three countries since February 2020. Despite the dominant media discourse focussing on disease risk associated with wild meat (61%), over one‐third of respondents considered domestically raised red meat as the riskiest meat. The theory that COVID‐19 originated in laboratories was observed both in the media (10%) and among phone survey respondents (7% Cameroonian, 9% DRC respondents). About half (47%) of Cameroonian respondents and one‐third (38%) of DRC respondents reported a reduction in wild meat consumption in the surveyed period in 2021 with the most frequent reason being perceived risks of infectious disease. Conversely, some (3% Cameroonian, 32% DRC respondents) increased their wild meat consumption mainly due to the reduced availability of other meats. Our results suggest that COVID‐19 brought increased media attention to wild meat consumption and changed public perceptions and stated consumption behaviours related to wild meat consumption in Central Africa. Bans on trading wild meat were widely discussed in the media as a potential policy response to COVID‐19, but there was a lack of consensus among respondents that this would be the most appropriate policy: more than half of respondents did not support a ban on wild meat consumption. If policymakers wish to reduce wild meat consumption in Central African countries, trustworthy communication strategies and access to alternative food sources will be needed. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog