By Hussaini Umar

ABUJA — Technical experts from 12 West African countries have begun a regional Geographic Information System (GIS) training programme aimed at strengthening scientific mapping of biodiversity as governments work toward achieving the global target of conserving 30 percent of land and marine ecosystems by 2030.

The week-long programme brings together GIS and remote sensing specialists from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to improve the region’s ability to identify biodiversity hotspots, map degraded ecosystems, monitor endangered species and support evidence-based conservation planning.

The initiative is supported by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.

At a Glance

Indicator	Value
Countries participating	12
Conservation target	30% of ecosystems by 2030
Target year remaining	About 4 years
Global biodiversity framework	Kunming-Montreal GBF
Key GIS focus areas	Mapping, Monitoring, Restoration

The 12 Countries Working Together

The regional GIS Working Group includes experts from:

Benin
Burkina Faso
Côte d’Ivoire
The Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Liberia
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo

Regional Participation

■■■■■■■■■■■■
12 Countries
1 Regional Goal

What Does “30 by 30” Mean?

The global “30 by 30” initiative aims to ensure that at least 30 percent of the world’s:

Land
Inland waters
Coastal ecosystems
Marine ecosystems

are effectively protected and conserved by 2030.

It forms one of the central commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) adopted by nearly 200 countries.

Why GIS Matters for Conservation

Environmental conservation increasingly depends on data rather than guesswork.

GIS technology enables governments to:

Map forests and wetlands
Identify endangered species habitats
Detect illegal land-use changes
Prioritise ecosystem restoration
Monitor conservation progress over time

Without reliable geospatial information, governments risk investing in protected areas that may not safeguard the most critical biodiversity.

West Africa As a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

According to biodiversity experts, West Africa contains:

Tropical forests
Mangrove ecosystems
Savannahs
Freshwater wetlands
Coastal habitats

These ecosystems provide:

Food security
Clean water
Climate regulation
Pollination for agriculture
Livelihoods for millions of people

However, many face growing pressure from:

Deforestation
Urban expansion
Agricultural conversion
Mining
Climate change
Illegal wildlife exploitation

The Three Main Biodiversity Targets

The GIS programme directly supports the first three targets of the Kunming-Montreal Framework.

Target	Objective
Target 1	Biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning
Target 2	Restore degraded ecosystems
Target 3	Protect 30% of ecosystems by 2030

These objectives require accurate maps, updated environmental data and cross-border cooperation.

Conservation Is Increasingly a Regional Challenge

Wildlife and ecosystems do not respect national borders.

For example:

Rivers flow across multiple countries.
Forests extend beyond political boundaries.
Migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres.
Large mammals often move between neighbouring protected areas.

Regional mapping therefore enables governments to coordinate conservation rather than working in isolation.

Why Funding Remains Critical

While improved technical capacity is essential, experts say achieving the region’s biodiversity ambitions will also depend on closing significant financing gaps.

Priority investments include:

Satellite imagery
GIS software and hardware
Biodiversity monitoring
Ranger operations
Restoration projects
Community conservation initiatives

Without sustained domestic and international funding, many conservation plans may remain difficult to implement.

What Success Could Look Like

If successfully implemented, the regional conservation strategy could help:

Protect endangered wildlife
Reduce biodiversity loss
Restore degraded forests and wetlands
Improve climate resilience
Secure ecosystem services
Support sustainable agriculture
Strengthen ecotourism
Improve livelihoods across West Africa

The Bigger Picture

The Abuja training reflects a broader shift in environmental governance—from protecting isolated parks to using geospatial intelligence to guide conservation across landscapes and national borders.

With only a few years remaining until the 2030 “30 by 30” deadline, the ability of West African countries to generate accurate environmental data may prove as important as political commitment itself. By investing in GIS capacity today, the region is laying the scientific foundation for more effective biodiversity protection, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Key Numbers

Metric	Figure
Participating countries	12
Global conservation target	30%
Target completion year	2030
Kunming-Montreal priority targets supported	3
Regional GIS Working Group	1