Experts Call for Greater Investment in Africa-Led Research to Protect Congo Basin
Nairobi, Kenya, June 26, 2026
Scientists, policymakers and development partners have called for greater investment in African-led research and innovation, warning that efforts to safeguard the Congo Basin—one of the world's most important forest ecosystems—will only succeed if African institutions take the lead in generating the knowledge needed to manage it sustainably.
The call was made during a high-level dialogue on advancing Africa-led research for the sustainable management of Central African forests, organised by Landscape Alliance through its European Union-funded RESSAC (Applied Research in Ecology and Social Sciences in Support of Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa) programme.
The meeting brought together researchers, project leaders, postdoctoral fellows, European Union representatives, development partners and private sector stakeholders to discuss the future of forest governance, scientific cooperation and sustainable development in Central Africa.
Participants said the discussions come at a critical time as the Congo Basin faces mounting threats from deforestation, land degradation, unsustainable resource use and climate change.
Stretching across Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, the Congo Basin is the world's second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon. It stores vast amounts of carbon, harbours exceptional biodiversity and supports the livelihoods of more than 100 million people, while playing a vital role in regulating Africa's climate.
Speaking during the session, Philippe Mayaux, a forestry expert and former Team Leader at the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships, said scientific knowledge generated through years of research remains essential for supporting sustainable forest management and translating evidence into practical action.
"Building on the science, research and knowledge generated over the years will be essential to supporting the sustainable management of Central Africa's forest ecosystems and ensuring that research continues to inform action on the ground," he said.
Participants emphasized that African scientists and institutions must be placed at the centre of research leadership, with funding models designed to strengthen local capacity and produce solutions tailored to regional realities.
"Protecting the Congo Basin is not only a Central African priority; it is an African priority," said Peter Minang, Africa Director for Landscape Alliance. "These forests are vital to the continent's climate resilience, biodiversity and sustainable development. Investing in African research ensures we generate the knowledge and solutions needed to secure this globally important ecosystem for future generations."
The discussions also highlighted the impact of the RESSAC programme, which has adopted a consortium-based approach linking Central African universities and research institutions with European partners and organizations working directly on natural resource management.
Unlike traditional research initiatives, RESSAC focuses on collaborative partnerships that combine scientific expertise with field experience, helping ensure research addresses practical challenges while informing policy and decision-making.
The programme has also strengthened regional scientific collaboration by supporting knowledge exchange, data sharing and joint research on forest governance, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable land management.
Richard Sufo, RESSAC Programme Lead at Landscape Alliance, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in tackling environmental challenges that extend beyond national borders.
"Forests do not recognise political boundaries. The solutions we develop must therefore be built through regional collaboration, shared knowledge and long-term partnerships," he said.
Participants further noted that investing in scientific capacity, mentorship and training for early-career researchers will be key to building the next generation of African scientists capable of addressing emerging environmental challenges.
They also called for stronger links between science, policy and implementation, arguing that scientific evidence should play a greater role in shaping national and regional policies on forest governance, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable development.
Private sector representatives echoed the need for closer collaboration between researchers and industry, saying science-driven partnerships can promote responsible investment, strengthen sustainable value chains and create economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities.
As global attention increasingly turns to the Congo Basin's role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, participants concluded that conserving the region's forests will require sustained investment in African scientific leadership, stronger partnerships and locally led research capable of delivering long-term solutions for one of the continent's most valuable natural assets.
