Strengthening Africa’s Environmental Leadership: AWF and GEF Rollout Regional Training for GEF Operational Focal Points from 23 African Countries

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have rolled out the first African regional training workshop to enhance the operational effectiveness of GEF Operational Focal Points (OFPs) across 23 African countries. This workshop is part of a broader partnership that was kickstarted earlier this year to equip OFPs with the necessary tools and knowledge to oversee and monitor their respective GEF portfolios more effectively. The initiative will run from 1 January 2025 to 30 April 2026.

The initiative will directly support OFPs from Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The two-day Regional Training Workshop is scheduled for 7th and 8th April 2025 at the African Wildlife Foundation Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The agenda includes presentations from Senior GEF Secretariat and AWF Staff, shared experiences from OFPs, and a field visit to one of the GEF-7 cycle funded projects in Kajiado County, ensuring a hands-on approach to learning.

“This initiative strengthens the Operational Focal Points’ project oversight and monitoring capacity, enabling them to take greater ownership of their portfolios and maximize the impact of GEF resources. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing through training activities and field visits, we create an opportunity to these focal points to learn from one another and optimize the management of GEF-funded projects,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF. “We believe that by investing in the capacity of our partners, we can drive impactful environmental outcomes that benefit both people and nature.”

AWF CEO, Kaddu Sebunya giving his opening remarks during the AWF and GEF Rollout Regional Training for GEF Operational Focal Points in April 2025

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, emphasized the broader implications of this initiative, stating:
“This collaboration underscores AWF’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance across Africa. By equipping GEF Operational Focal Points with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are ensuring that conservation efforts remain at the forefront of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Strong institutional capacity is key to making conservation an integral part of Africa’s development agenda.”

By strengthening OFPs’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities, the training will enhance their ability to maximize the impact of GEF-funded projects through a whole-of-government approach. Participants will build the capacity to review and oversee their portfolios throughout the project cycle, from design to implementation, ensuring that investments align with national environmental priorities.

Additionally, the training will enable the focal points, who are usually government staff attached to the ministry of environment or finance, to efficiently utilize the resources available under this agreement, fostering better governance and accountability in the management of GEF projects.

As the GEF enters its 9th replenishment cycle, Africa stands at a pivotal moment to redefine how environmental projects are implemented—ensuring accountability, community ownership, and lasting impact. The GEF has helped implement more than 1,800 projects in the continent, with a total investment of $6.2 billion since its inception in 1991. These investments have leveraged over $40 billion from other stakeholders, including governments, bilateral and multilateral partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations.

About the Partners

About the Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) includes several multilateral funds working together to address the planet's most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $26 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $148 billion for country-driven priority projects.

About African Wildlife Foundation  

The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for protecting wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 during the African independence movement to build our capacity to steward our natural resources, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision. It bridges science, education, public policy, and field programs to demonstrate the benefits of conservation and build a future for Africa where people and wildlife thrive.

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Eileen Kairu- AWF Strategic Communications Manager at ekairu@awf.org or Alexandre Pinheiro Rego- GEF Senior Communications Officer at arego@thegef.org.