Community-Based Natural Resource Management Network (CBNRM Net): Resources, Regions, Africa (Francophone), Overview

CBNRM Net

The Community-Based Natural Resource Management Network

Home > Section Resources > Category Regions > Group Africa > Item Africa (Francophone), Overview

Africa (Francophone), Overview

Introduction

This Item contains a broad overview of CBNRM for Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa. The overview is based on the findings and recommendations of a Regional Working Group at the International CBNRM Workshop (Washington DC, USA, May 1998), consisting of participants largely from this region.

Principal resource types

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify the principal resource types in their region. The resource types are (listed in the order given):

(A) West Africa (Sudano-Sahelian and forested regions)

Agriculture
Pastoralism
Forestry
Mining

(B) Madagascar

Agriculture
Forestry
Fishing
Ecotourism
Mining

Special regional context and characteristics

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify special regional contexts and characteristics in their region. The regional contexts and characteristics are (listed in the order given):

(A) West Africa

Desertification causing migrations from the Sudano-Sahelian zones to the Atlantic Coast
Economic integration in Western Africa

(B) Madagascar

Member of the Indian Ocean Commission
Key geographic position and unique global biodiversity

Major messages

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify the major messages they wanted to give the CBNRM community in terms of how they assessed the situation in their region. The major messages are (listed in the order given):

Improving CBNRM requires an effective decentralization of decision-making powers
The success of CBNRM is linked to the profit made by the majority of the actors in the community
CBNRM requires an appropriate institutional, legal and financial framework

Key policy issues

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify the key policy issues they wanted to give to the CBNRM community in terms of how they assessed the situation in their region. The key policy issues are (listed in the order given):

Reconcile conservation with the development of natural resources
Ensure that the present decentralization process favors CBNRM
Ensure an institutional, judicial, legislative and regulatory framework which is appropriate for CBNRM

Strategies

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify strategies that addressed the key policy issues identified earlier. The strategies are (listed in the order given):

(A) Conservation and development

Income-generating activities
Policy incentives that favor CBNRM
Value natural resources
Integrate development and the environment

(B) Decentralization

Identification of stakeholders: establish roles, responsibilities and rights
Strengthen capacities and recognition of local knowledge
Financial mechanisms at the local level

Participatory approach
Effective demand by the populations
Institutional arrangements for dialogue between stakeholders

Actions

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify actions, directed at the workshop participants, and to be implemented upon returning home. The actions are (listed in the order given):

Raise awareness of decision-makers
Facilitate exchange of experiences at the sub-regional, regional, and international levels
Information, education and communication campaigns

Recommendations

The Regional Working Group was asked to identify recommendations directed at: (i) governments and other public agencies, and (ii) the World Bank and other donors. The recommendations are (listed in the order given):

(A) Governments and other public agencies

Take effective measures to ensure CBNRM

(B) World Bank and other donors

Ensure synergy and coherence in donors' activities
Flexibility in the identification and duration of CBNRM projects
Help governments to give effective responsibility for NRM to communities