Transboundary protected areas management: experiences from W-Arly-Pendjari parks in West Africa

Transboundary collaboration in the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex has proven effective in enhancing biodiversity conservation across West African nations. Funded initiatives, including those by the European Union and Global Environment Facility (GEF), have facilitated harmonized management strategies, regional patrol systems, and biodiversity surveys, significantly reducing threats to protected areas. A key achievement is the establishment of a regional coordination system that unites stakeholders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, alongside innovative small grant programs supporting rural livelihoods linked to conservation efforts. This model demonstrates how transboundary approaches can strengthen long-term biodiversity protection, offering a replicable framework for global conservation funding.

Amahowé, I. O., Houessou, L. G., Ashanti, S., & Tehou, A. C. (2013). Transboundary protected areas management: experiences from W-Arly-Pendjari parks in West Africa. Parks, 19(2), 95–105. https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2013.parks-19-2.ioa.en