Africa Protected Areas Directors
About APAD
The Africa Protected Area Directors (APAD) is a network open to the representatives of national authorities of Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs) operating throughout Africa. APAD aims to develop a common agenda for Africa’s protected areas, foster information sharing, and facilitate collaboration and collective responsibility among Africa’s protected areas directors.
39 Countries Engaged
2 Key Surveys
4 Years in Existence
2 In-person Conferences
9 Virtual Meetings
Protected & Conserved
Areas in Africa
Discover Africa’s protected and conserved areas on maps. Explore diverse landscapes and uncover regions dedicated to conservation efforts.
APAD’s Formation
The Africa Protected Area Directors (APAD) network was formed in 2020 in response to the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the management and operations of Africa’s protected and conserved areas that led to a notable decline in tourism revenue and threatened the socio-economic welfare of local communities. Its inception was further motivated by the need to articulate aligned priorities and needs of Africa’s protected area directors at the inaugural Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) 2022.
Founding Partner & Secretariat
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has served as the secretariat for the Africa Protected Area Directors (APAD) network since its inception in 2020. Investing in APAD as a network aligns with AWF’s commitment to elevate African conservation leadership by granting these leaders the agency to set the conservation agenda on the continent and beyond.
We Work With
Our Partners
Our Collaborators
