In 2017, the Government of Benin entered into a long-term agreement with African Parks to revitalise, rehabilitate and develop Pendjari NP. A further agreement for W- National Park was signed in 2020. Although African Parks management marks an important turning point for the parks, their future depends on continued investments, such as carbon finance. These investments will not only regenerate and secure the flourishing biodiversity, but will also support communities to build stable and successful conservation-friendly livelihoods, through for example beekeeping, organic cotton growing and shea nut processing.

Enhanced conservation management practices and the deployment of rangers have reduced poaching and illegal logging, increased wildlife, regenerated biodiversity and created overall stability in the areas. The over 40,000 people living around the boundary of both projects benefit from increased employment opportunities, more sustainable agriculture and investments that improve the livelihood in the region. These impressive benefits can be scaled and continued further with carbon finance.

Find out more about the spectacular Pendjari Park here and W park here.

We work with the following partner on this project:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities.

Established as an African solution to Africa's conservation challenges, African Parks is in charge of implementation.