Khaya anthotheca, with the common name East African mahogany, is a large tree species in the Meliaceae family, native to tropical Africa.

The name anthotheca was taken from the Greek word anthos, meaning flower, while theca refers to a capsule.

It is widespread, occurring from Guinea Bissau east to Uganda and Tanzania, and south to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The East African mahogany grows in medium to low altitude areas in evergreen forests.

It is a very suitable tree for these projects because the bark weathers well, is resistant to borers and termites, besides fungal decay, and is tough but saws well.