The Government of Chad Renews its Partnership with African Parks for the Long Term Management of Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve
N’Djamena, Chad, 11 April 2025 - The Government of Chad renewed its agreement with conservation non-profit African Parks for the management of Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve. The agreement is a major commitment to nature and sustainable development in Chad.
The agreement was signed in N’Djamena by the Minister of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development Hassan Bakhit Djamous and by African Parks’ CEO Peter Fearnhead, at a ceremony attended by State officials as well as representatives of the Ennedi board of directors.
In 2010, African Parks and the Chadian Government signed a management agreement for Zakouma National Park, and in 2017, the Chadian Government formed the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, incorporating Siniaka Minia National Park, Bahr Salamat Wildlife Reserve and connecting areas within African Parks’ management mandate. Subsequently, in 2018, a second partnership was signed with African Parks for the management of the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve.
The renewed management agreement for Ennedi will enable the Chadian Government, African Parks and local communities to continue building on this positive momentum. The core priorities for management will include ongoing biodiversity restoration initiatives and further development of tourism offerings to enhance financial sustainability and increase livelihood opportunities for the long-term benefit of local communities.
His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development M. Hassan Bakhit Djamous said, “The sustainability of our natural assets, specifically the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, is a strategic priority for national development. We are proud to reaffirm our partnership with African Parks, with whom we have been working to create social and economic value from the conservation of this unique landscape. We look forward to our continued partnership in cultivating nature-based tourism and ensuring that all Chadians may enjoy the benefits of their rich natural heritage.”
Peter Fearnhead said, “Chad has become a model of conservation excellence for the rehabilitation of their outstanding protected areas and leveraging this progress to drive sustainable socio-economic development. The renewal of our partnership agreement for the management of Ennedi is a further demonstration of Chad’s commitment to that visionary goal. We’re delighted to be embarking on this new chapter together and look forward to continuing our close work with communities and the funding partners who are central to the long-term success of this landscape.”
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Notes to editors:
The overall management of the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve Ecosystem would not be possible without the support of the European Union, Segre Foundation and Stitching Natura Africa.
About Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve: Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, a World Heritage Site spanning over 50,000 km2 in northern Chad, is a unique ecological oasis in the Sahara biome that supports people and relic wildlife populations. Around 30,000 community members move through Ennedi each year as they have done for millennia. The unique geological formations found throughout the reserve contain a globally significant rock art collection dating back at least 7,000 years. In 2017, the Republic of Chad partnered with African Parks to manage Ennedi and conserve its profound natural and cultural heritage.
About the Republic of Chad: 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, African Parks formed a Public Private Partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development (MEPDD), to manage Zakouma National Park. In 2017, this management 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 managed 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 23 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.