Tchakounte Njoda Mathurin¹, Vangvaidi Albert¹ and Mbotta Ntjen Emmanuel Charberlain²

(1) FSEG, University of Maroua

(2) FSEGA, University of Douala – Cameroun

Corresponding Author: Phone: +237699374598 Email : vangvaidialbert@gmail.com

To Cite: Tchakounte et al. (2026), Export Flows and Deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Journal of Tertiary and Industrial Sciences, JTIS, 6(2), 19–34. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20588662

Submission Date: 28/02/2026                                                                                     Acceptance Date: 27/05/2026

Abstract

This study focuses on economic information on the environmental sources of international business models. To do this, the study evaluates the impact of export flows on deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1990 to 2023. The sample consists of 43 countries with four regions. The mixed model version used is an unequal panel nested error component regression model. To test this hypothesis, we use a mixed model econometric approach that includes both fixed and random effects. The findings support the positive and significant effect of primary commodity exports on deforestation, thus confirming the theory that deforestation rates are higher in less developed countries where there are significant exports to many countries. This research contributes to the theory of ecologically unequal exchange, particularly by focusing on how globalization has allowed many developing countries to become part of the environmental costs of their production, which in turn makes knowledge ecologically unequal exchange. The positive results obtained using data from 43 Sub-Saharan African countries between 1990 and 2023 support the theory by confirming this hypothesis.

Keywords: Deforestation, unequal trade, weighted export flows, panel data, mixed model.