As African ecosystems face mounting pressures from deforestation, land degradation and the impacts of climate change, the continent is resolutely pursuing innovative solutions to safeguard its natural resources. In this context, the first annual meeting of the Regional Centres of Excellence for Biodiversity and Forests was held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 8 to 11, 2024. The event convened more than 50 key stakeholders, including government representatives, multilateral organizations, research institutions and financial partners, to chart a unified path toward sustainable ecosystem management underpinned by robust scientific data.
This meeting was part of a broader continental drive, with Africa intensifying efforts to tackle environmental challenges while fostering sustainable development. Initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, aimed at restoring degraded lands across the Sahel and AFR100, which seeks to restore 100 million hectares of forest landscapes, exemplify this commitment.

Participants and activities at the 1st Annual Meeting of the Regional Centres of Excellence for Biodiversity & Forests, in Dakar, Senegal. Photo by CIFOR-ICRAF
Bridging science and policy
The regional Centres of Excellence initiative, funded by the European Union under the Africa Regional Centres of Excellence (ArcX) related to the green transition, aims to deliver reliable, up-to-date data to guide policy decisions. With climate change posing significant risks, access to pertinent and timely information is essential to ensuring the well-being of populations while supporting sustainable growth.
During the opening ceremony, H.E. Jean-Marc Pisani, Ambassador of the European Union to Senegal, emphasized the importance of this initiative in bridging the gap between science and policy. He highlighted how such efforts enable policymakers to make informed decisions that promote the sustainable management of natural resources.
Building synergies for greater impact
A key focus of the meeting was to strengthen synergies among the regional Centres of Excellence for Biodiversity and Forests in Eastern and Southern Africa, Central Africa and West Africa.
Discussions spotlighted critical cross-cutting themes, including biodiversity, the NaturAfrica program and the Integrated Management Effectiveness Tool (IMET). IMET provides a standardized approach for assessing the effectiveness of protected area management, integrating environmental, social and economic indicators. Participants stressed the importance of local adoption of these tools to ensure long-term sustainable management.
The NaturAfrica initiative, which combines conservation and community development, was also highly praised. This program works closely with local communities to protect biodiversity while improving livelihoods. Institutions such as the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) were identified as strategic partners to ensure adequate regional coordination. By integrating local stakeholders, the regional Centres of Excellence are creating a participatory management model that promises lasting impact.

Peter Minang, CIFOR-ICRAF’s Africa Director at the 1st Annual Meeting of the regional Centres of Excellence for Biodiversity & Forests, in Dakar, Senegal. Photo by CIFOR-ICRAF
Unlocking the potential of digital tools
The participants also emphasized the critical role of digital tools in enhancing ecosystem monitoring and management. IMET, already recognized for its effectiveness, was recommended for broader deployment. Additionally, data-sharing agreements between producer and user countries were identified as essential for ensuring harmonized monitoring of environmental indicators. This collaboration enhances transparency and strengthens the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
“These Centers of Excellence are vital for Africa as they enable data-driven solutions to address the complex environmental challenges we face, ” said Peter Minang, Africa Director of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).
Key recommendations for the future
The meeting produced several strategic recommendations to amplify the impact of the regional Centres of Excellence. High on the agenda was the strengthening of data-sharing agreements between countries, a step crucial for improving the flow of information and maximizing the effectiveness of environmental analyses and policy decisions on a regional scale.
Participants also underscored the importance of harmonizing efforts across the centres. This includes producing high-quality scientific knowledge and conducting in-depth research on shared challenges. Such collaborative work will enable the centres to establish themselves as leaders in sustainable natural resource management.
Finally, the meeting highlighted the critical role of strategic communication. To boost their visibility, the centres must not only showcase their achievements but also raise awareness among policymakers and the public about the urgent challenges facing biodiversity and ecosystems. Targeted communication will be essential in garnering broader support for their initiatives.
A promising future for Africa
The regional Centres of Excellence are poised to become key drivers of Africa’s ecological transition. The Dakar meeting underscored the power of regional and international collaboration in tackling environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for coordinated and effective action.
Reflecting on the strategic role of these centres, Robert Nasi, Director of Operations at CIFOR-ICRAF, remarked: “The regional Centres of Excellence embody the vision of a resilient Africa, where science and international cooperation converge to deliver concrete solutions to environmental challenges.”
“The Dakar meeting was a crucial milestone in consolidating this vision, highlighting the importance of collective strategies to secure a sustainable future for our ecosystems and the communities that depend on them,” Nasi added.
With the support of strategic partners such as the European Union, this initiative goes beyond preserving biodiversity and ecosystems. It also seeks to create sustainable economic and social opportunities for local populations, thereby strengthening their resilience to climate crises.
Thanks to its immense natural capital and the growing commitment of its institutions, Africa is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable resource management. This model of integration between science, policy and community provides an inspiring pathway for other regions of the world facing similar challenges. Together, African stakeholders are proving that sustainable and inclusive growth is achievable while safeguarding the continent’s ecological treasures for future generations.
We want you to share Forests News content, which is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This means you are free to redistribute our material for non-commercial purposes. All we ask is that you give Forests News appropriate credit and link to the original Forests News content, indicate if changes were made, and distribute your contributions under the same Creative Commons license. You must notify Forests News if you repost, reprint or reuse our materials by contacting forestsnews@cifor-icraf.org.