The African Conservation and Development Foundation

Global

We work at local, regional, and international levels to support sustainable development initiatives aligned with global goals.

Nature

We promote environmental conservation and climate action to protect ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future.

People

We empower communities by supporting health, resilience, and inclusive development through people centered solutions.

Who We Are?

About ACDEF

African Conservation and Development Foundation is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the result of years of collective and individual reflection and consultation by a group of experienced Africans and international professionals who believe in the power of collective action to achieve regional and global goals in the field of sustainable development.

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FIELD LOG CUMULATIVE

ACDEF: 2026

Direct beneficiaries

Indirect beneficiaries

Community Conservation Management Areas beneficiaries

Under Community Conservation Management

Dja–Ngoyla Interzone under protection

Agricultural cooperatives strengthened

FOCUS

Four pillars, one integrated approach

Each pillar addresses a distinct pressure on Africa’s landscapes together, they form a single system for lasting change.

Biodiversity Conservation

Landscape-scale ecosystem protection, habitat restoration, and community stewardship grounded in a One Health approach.

9 CCMAs · Dja Landscape

Climate Change

Ecosystem restoration, agroecology, and climate-smart agriculture that build adaptive capacity in rural landscapes.

Restoration & resilience

Renewable Energy

Clean energy access for rural communities reducing biomass dependence while powering health and enterprise.

Solar & clean cooking

Governance

Inclusive decision-making and natural capital accounting that empower communities as active resource stewards.

Natural capital accounting

Climate Health

Healthy people, healthy forests. ACDEF supports health outreach and maternal care for communities living alongside the Dja Landscape

Restoration & resilience

OUR PROGRAMS

ON THE GROUND

Where we work

Landscapes across Africa in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Guinea anchor ACDEF’s collaboration with local communities, institutions, and partners to deliver sustainable development initiatives. Through strong local networks and regional engagement, we address environmental, social, and public health challenges while supporting community-driven solutions with lasting impact.

See full landscape profiles →

CAMEROON

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)

GUINEA

Dja Landscape

OUTHEASTERN CAMEROON

Globally important Congo Basin forest, including the Dja Faunal Reserve and its buffer zones home to nine community-led Conservation Management Areas.

30,633 ha

under community management

Dja–Ngoyla Interzone

CONSERVATION CORRIDOR

A strategic corridor linking the Dja and Ngoyla Wildlife Reserves securing high-integrity forest against logging, mining, and encroachment.

315,518 ha

high-integrity forest

Noun Division

WESTERN CAMEROON

Home to the CPAN Agrobusiness Hub in Foumban driving climate-smart rural transformation across eight agricultural cooperatives.

8

cooperatives transformed

Basse-Lobaye Landscape

SOUTHWESTERN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Part of the Congo Basin’s Ubangui watershed, connected to the Ngotto Forest and Dzanga-Sangha landscape. ACDEF is a strategic partner on the GEF-8 / UNEP forest ecosystems project, exploring expanded community-based conservation in the region.

GEF-8

strategic partner

Guinea

WEST AFRICA — NEW PROGRAMME

ACDEF is establishing a presence in Guinea as part of its regional growth strategy — extending community-led conservation and development models beyond the Congo Basin.

New

country programme

Explore Projects

Donation

Donate To Us

Your donation helps us empower communities and advance sustainable development across Africa. By supporting ACDEF, you contribute to impactful initiatives in environmental protection, public health, and climate resilience. Every contribution, big or small, helps create lasting change and brings us closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Transparent & Accountable Work

Community-Driven Impact

Trusted Partnerships

Sustainable & Innovative Solutions

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The Process

Our Work Process

ACDEF’s work process is grounded in evidence-based planning, strong partnerships, and community engagement. We design and implement sustainable solutions that respond to Africa’s development, environmental, and public health challenges.

Strategic & Investment Planning

We assess needs, conduct research, and mobilize resources to define strategic priorities aligned with sustainable development goals.

Project Planning & Partnerships

We co-design projects with communities, experts, and partners to ensure inclusive, realistic, and impactful solutions.

Project Implementation & Impact

We implement, monitor, and evaluate projects to ensure transparency, accountability, and long term impact.

Partner With Us

We believe that strong partnerships are essential to achieving lasting and meaningful impact in our communities. By working closely with institutions, organizations, and individuals, we are able to combine expertise, resources, innovation, and local knowledge to deliver sustainable and effective solutions. Through collaboration, we strengthen our ability to respond to real needs, create long-term opportunities, and build a better future for those we serve. Partner with us to support meaningful initiatives, expand our reach, and drive positive change where it matters most.

PARTNER WITH US