The IRF's tasks are to organise, conduct and carry out all basic and applied research aimed at promoting sustainable forest development, particularly in the fields of forest management, forestry, agroforestry, forest genetics, wood technology, non-wood forest products, conservation and management of biodiversity, climate change and the environment.
The IRF is represented in five areas across the Congo. These are the research areas of Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Loudima, Oyo and Ouesso. Ongoing activities within the Institute relate to the conservation of forest genetic resources, the promotion of savanna soils with agroforestry, and the restoration of degraded forest areas. Involved in implementing and monitoring permanent plots, it participates in the proper implementation of the DYNAFAC collective's activities.