As Africa faces accelerating threats to its forests and biodiversity, experts at the Africa Regional Centres of Excellence (ArcX) forum are calling for stronger, coordinated action backed by science, technology, and innovation. The gathering of policymakers, researchers, civil society, and private sector leaders from across Africa and Europe took place in Nairobi from 15 to 18 September 2025, focusing on how evidence-based approaches can drive the sustainable management of the continent’s vital natural resources.
“Through science, technology and innovation, we can address the most pressing challenges of our time. We can build stronger connections, foster deeper collaboration and create lasting impact,” said Mr. Ondrej Simek, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation in Kenya. The forum, organized under the EU–Africa partnership, aimed to explore the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in accelerating Africa’s green transition and sustainable development.
Dr. Robert Nasi, Director of Science at CIFOR-ICRAF, highlighted the severe economic consequences of forest loss on the continent: “Africa is losing its forests at an alarming rate. This has severe economic consequences, threatening not only forests but also agriculture, which employs a huge proportion of Africa’s population. The result is rising unemployment, desertification, the loss of habitats for countless species, declining biodiversity and damage to the tourism sector—a major contributor to our economies.”
Africa’s forests and ecosystems are more than just natural resources—they are essential for the continent’s food security, clean water, energy, medicine, and climate resilience. Yet, these vital systems are under increasing pressure from deforestation, land degradation, pollution, rapid urbanization, unsustainable agricultural expansion, and climate change.
“Africa is rich in potential and natural resources. We have so much to offer. Yet potential alone is not enough. We must harness science, technology and innovation to address the pressing challenges of our time: climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, energy access, as well as ocean and coastal management,” said Dr. Mahaman Bachir Saley, Science & Technology Specialist at the African Union Commission. “Science and technology are no longer luxuries; they are essential.”
Experts stressed the interconnected nature of Africa’s ecosystems. Forests regulate water cycles that sustain wetlands and rivers, while healthy vegetation supports wildlife and agricultural productivity through pollination and habitat provision. “Our economies do not depend on a single resource—they rely on all of them working together. If our forests disappear and water resources are lost, then food security, development, and economic growth will all be undermined,” warned Dr. Peter Minang, Africa Director for CIFOR-ICRAF.
The impacts of climate change are already visible across the continent, with prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall disrupting livelihoods and economies. Dr. Minang emphasized that the sustainable management of forests, ecosystems, biodiversity, and water resources is the only viable path forward: “We are already experiencing the impacts of climate change… The only way to address these challenges is through the sustainable management of our forests, ecosystems, biodiversity, and water resources collectively.”
Data and monitoring were identified as critical components for effective policymaking. Accurate information on forest cover, species populations, land use, and water quality is essential to track progress toward international commitments such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. However, Dr. Nasi lamented the gap between data collection and actionable policy: “The irony is that we are getting better and better at monitoring the crisis but remain terribly bad at fixing it. We have satellites, observatories, and advanced monitoring tools—yet action still lags behind. We must move from simply observing to truly acting. Because the economic cost of inaction is staggering.”
Bridging the divide between research and political action was another priority underscored at the forum. “Too much of our research remains within universities and fails to reach policymakers. It is time to bridge this gap between knowledge and governance, ensuring that scientific evidence informs decisions for Africa’s future,” urged Dr. Saley.
As Africa seeks to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, the experts at ArcX emphasized that coordinated, data-driven, and agroecology-informed strategies offer the best chance to safeguard the continent’s forests, biodiversity, and ecosystems for generations to come. With the right policies and partnerships, green jobs, nature-based solutions, and sustainable land-use practices can deliver lasting benefits to both people and the planet.
