A Better World for People, Climate and Nature
Building Vital Landscapes for Sustainable and Resilient Growth in Africa
Nearly 3 million hectares of forests are lost in Africa every year. Of Africa’s land, 65% is affected by degradation, and 3% of GDP is lost annually from soil and nutrient depletion on cropland. At the same time, about 705 of the continent’s population depends on agriculture.
We aim to achieve concrete and measurable outcomes that contribute to impacts on forest conservation and landscape restoration, food security and sustainable land use, and improved land governance. WRI Africa provides highquality data and analyses and partners with entrepreneurs, policymakers and community organizations to accelerate the transformation of African landscapes.
Our vision is to shift Africa’s food, land and water system to meet the needs of all people while protecting nature and halting climate change.
- By 2027, 75,000 smallholder farmers will equitably reduce food loss and waste by 25%.
- By 2027, 20 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will equitably reduce food loss and waste by 25%.
- By 2027, five of farm-gate-facing companies equitably reduce food loss and waste by 25%.
- By 2027, 20 million hectares of degraded land will be under restoration to increase climate security, habitat, food and water security.
- By 2027, 35 million trees will be planted across three landscapes: Greater Rift Valley, Ruzizi Basin and the Ghana cocoa belt.
Our approach is to:
- Produce more food on the same or less land while minimizing environmental impacts. We work to increase agricultural yields, reduce water stress and safeguard ocean health through better farming, fishing and resource management.
- Protect remaining natural ecosystems on land and in the ocean. We monitor forest loss and other threats, map and set strategies to alleviate water risks, help companies rid their supply chains of deforestation, increase finance for nature-based solutions and empower Indigenous Peoples to secure their ancestral territories.
- Shift consumption patterns and reduce food loss and waste. We work with companies and governments to measure and cut their waste, while employing behavioral science and partnerships to help consumers adopt lower-carbon diets.
- Restore degraded and deforested lands back into healthy ecosystems. We identify restoration opportunities; provide technical assistance to farmers, entrepreneurs and other local actors; build project pipelines; line up financing and monitor progress.
Cover image by Seraphin Nayituriki
Initiatives
Restore Local
Visit ProjectAccelerating locally led land restoration across Africa’s vital landscapes
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationThe Land Accelerator
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectA curated network and accelerator program for entrepreneurs who restore degraded forests and farmland
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationTerraMatch
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectTerraMatch connects local land restoration champions to capital and technical assistance through a trusted online system that vets their work, supports their growth, and monitors their progress.
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationAfrican Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectRestoring 100 million hectares of deforested and degraded land in Africa by 2030.
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationThe Landscape Policy Accelerator
Visit ProjectInspiring, innovating and streamlining policies to restore land for people and nature.
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationThe Landscape Monitoring Accelerator
Visit ProjectSupporting the use of cutting-edge technology to track restoration and land use planning efforts
Part of Forest and Landscape RestorationOpen Timber Portal
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectThe Open Timber Portal (OTP) promotes compliance with legal requirements in timber harvest and trade by compiling information from governments, private sector and third-party forest monitors in producer countries.
Part of Forest LegalityForest Atlases
Visit ProjectThe Forest Atlases are online platforms that help countries better manage their forest resources by combining government data with the latest forest monitoring technology.
Part of ForestsGlobal Forest Watch
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectOffering the latest data, technology and tools that empower people everywhere to better manage and protect forest landscapes.
Part of ForestsFood and Land Use Coalition
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectA community of organizations and individuals committed to the urgent need for food and land use transformation to create a healthier planet and healthier people.
Part of Food