Government of Chad and African Parks Renew Long-Term Partnership Agreements for the Co-Management of Several Protected Areas in Chad
N'Djamena, Chad, 2 July 2026 – The Government of the Republic of Chad, through the Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development (MEPDD), and African Parks Network today, 2 July 2026, signed new partnership agreements for the co-management of several of the country's protected areas.
This signing follows the joint communiqué of 17 October 2025, which marked the relaunch of the partnership after a period of in-depth dialogue. It gives concrete form to both parties' commitment to building a renewed collaboration founded on mutual respect, transparency and cooperation.
These agreements strengthen a 15-year partnership covering the management of Zakouma National Park and its ecosystem, Siniaka Minia National Park, and the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, and reaffirm a shared commitment to continuing conservation support for the Aouk-Keita landscape.
This renewal reflects a partnership that has been tested and has emerged stronger, built on open dialogue and a shared determination to secure the best possible outcomes for these landscapes.
As part of this partnership, African Parks commits to ensure the funding and co-management of these protected areas, while supporting the implementation of development projects for the benefit of local communities. For its part, the Government of Chad reaffirms its commitment to strengthening national governance and ensuring rigorous oversight of the management of protected areas.
None of this would be possible without the continued support of our donors and partners, whose generosity underpins the conservation and community development work across these landscapes. We extend particular thanks to the European Union, a long-standing funding partner for this partnership in Chad.
Finally, this partnership is aligned with the strategic vision of Chad's National Development Plan, "Chad Connection 2030," and contributes to the biodiversity protection and the sustainable development goals of the areas concerned.
Mr. Hassan Bakhit Djamous, Minister of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, said: "This signing marks a decisive step in our shared commitment to preserving Chad's exceptional natural heritage. It reflects the renewed trust between the Government and African Parks, in service of the communities living in and around these areas and the biodiversity they shelter."
Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks Network, added: "We deeply value this renewed commitment. These partnership agreements provide the solid foundation we need to continue supporting Chad in protecting some of its most extraordinary natural and cultural landscapes, in partnership with the communities who depend on and help safeguard them. We remain grateful to the many donors and partners who are able to make this work possible. In particular the European Union, for its unwavering support to the partnership"
Notes to the Editor:
About the Republic of Chad: The Republic of Chad is African Parks' partner for the management of the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem and the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve. In 2010, the Ministry of the Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development (MEPDD) concluded a long-term partnership with African Parks, to manage Zakouma National Park. In 2017, this mandate was extended to the Greater Zakouma Functional Ecosystem (GZFE), also incorporating the Bahr Salamat and Siniaka Minia wildlife reserves. The latter was designated a national park in 2024. In 2017, African Parks was entrusted by the Chadian government with the management of the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve (RNCE) located in the northeast of the country and covering 50,141 km² of Sahelo-Saharan ecosystems. Since 2020, the Aouk-Keita Landscape (over 30,000 km²) has been jointly developed with the MEPDD to create an innovative model for the management of wildlife and natural resources.
About African Parks: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For more information visit www.africanparks.org, X, Instagram and Facebook