Case Study: DNV certifies Africa’s first FSC-certified timber stadium in Lesotho
A landmark project for sustainable infrastructure in Africa
DNV Business Assurance has independently certified the FSC Stadium of Life in Lesotho, recognized as Africa’s first stadium constructed using FSC-certified timber.
Officially opened on 12 May 2026 at the Kick4Life Centre in Maseru, the project achieved certification against the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) project certification requirements, DNV-PRO-002776. The certification confirms that the 8,584 treated eucalyptus poles used throughout the structure are responsibly sourced and fully traceable.
The timber was supplied from MTO Forestry’s FSC-certified plantations in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
As sustainable construction gains momentum globally, the FSC Stadium of Life demonstrates how certified forest materials can support lower-carbon infrastructure development while creating long-term social and economic value for local communities.
Supporting sustainable construction through independent certification
The stadium was designed and delivered by Rise International through its ‘in loco’ training programme, which develops practical construction skills among young professionals.
By replacing more carbon-intensive materials with responsibly sourced timber, the certification project contributes to more sustainable building practices while showcasing the scalability of certified forest products within African infrastructure.
The wider site also includes:
• A Biodiversity Stand featuring plant species representing Lesotho’s ten districts. The Biodiversity Stand was designed on a pro bono basis by Italian architecture firm Park Associati in collaboration with Rise International.
• An outdoor Theatre of Life used for education, community engagement, and cultural activities.
• Community-focused facilities linked to social development initiatives led by Kick4Life.
Building on a legacy of community impact
The Kick4Life Centre was established in 2011 as part of FIFA’s legacy initiative following the 2010 FIFA Men’s World Cup in South Africa.
Today, the organisation operates as a charity, football club, and social enterprise supporting programmes focused on health, education, employability, and gender empowerment. Revenue generated through No.7 Restaurant and Hokahanya Hotel & Conference Centre helps fund these initiatives. In 2025, Kick4Life received the Laureus Sport for Good Award in recognition of its contribution to sport-based social change.
DNV’s role in enabling trust and transparency
Independent certification plays an important role in helping organizations demonstrate responsible sourcing, improve transparency across supply chains, and build stakeholder confidence.
DNV Business Assurance served as the independent certification body for the FSC Stadium of Life project, carrying out the assessment against FSC project certification requirements.
The certification process required establishing and reviewing the full chain of custody for timber used across the project. This included tracing 8,584 eucalyptus poles from FSC-certified plantations through supply, treatment, and delivery to the site, ensuring that documentation and controls were consistent across multiple stakeholders and steps in the value chain.
Given the number of actors involved, including forestry suppliers, processing entities, and construction partners, the audit relied on cross-verification of records and supporting evidence to confirm alignment with FSC requirements throughout the certification project lifecycle.
The outcome provides independent assurance that the timber sourcing and traceability claims for the project are substantiated in accordance with the applicable certification standard.
Greg Markwell, Sales Manager, DNV Business Assurance Africa, said:
“We’re proud to have supported the FSC Stadium of Life through our independent certification, helping to give confidence that the timber used is responsibly sourced and traceable. This was a passion project for me personally, and the vision reflects DNV’s purpose of safeguarding life, property, and the environment. It shows how sustainability and ingenuity can be embedded into landmark developments that deliver real community value, today and for generations to come.”
Industry perspectives
Gerard Busse, FSC Africa and Middle East Regional Market Development Manager, said:
“Project certification verifies that forest materials come from responsibly managed forests, ensuring environmental stewardship and community development.”
Peter Alele, FSC Africa Regional Director, added:
“The project highlights the continent’s potential to set global benchmarks in sustainable forestry, while demonstrating how responsible forest management can support wider social and economic development.”
Pedro Clarke, Lead Architect at Rise International, said:
“As the construction sector seeks materials with a lower carbon footprint, eyes are turning towards forest products.”
Steve Fleming MBE, Co-founder of Kick4Life, commented:
“With the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup starting next month, we are proud to continue building on the legacy of Africa’s first tournament 16 years ago. The FSC Stadium of Life pushes new boundaries in Sport for Good.”
A model for future infrastructure projects
The FSC Stadium of Life highlights how certified timber can be used at scale to support sustainable infrastructure development across Africa.
The certification project combines environmental responsibility with social impact, skills development, and community engagement, offering a practical example of how independent assurance can support more sustainable decision-making across the built environment.
As demand for lower-carbon construction solutions continues to grow, certification and traceability will remain critical in helping organizations build confidence, credibility, and long-term resilience.