My research explores the power dynamics driving deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on multinational timber corporations and their impact on local communities. Using a Global Value Chain framework, I will analyse how the Congolese timber commodity chains are structured to enables state and market actors to profit from deforestation. By examining the global-local interactions, conducting fieldwork in Kinshasa and Mai-Ndombe, and engaging with diverse stakeholders, I aim to uncover the political, and economic forces fuelling deforestation, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of the global timber industries operations in the DRC.