CABI and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing collaboration on landscape conservation, restoration, and climate change mitigation.
The partnership will see the two institutions working jointly in several initiatives, particularly managing invasive species and promoting sustainable ecosystems through joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.
Other key areas of collaboration will include community empowerment and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods, the use of drone technology and aerial seeding, promotion of agroforestry practices and fruit tree farming, as well as the rearing and release of biological control agents.
In addition, the collaboration will also involve joint activities such as monitoring the growth and survival rates of trees under the 15B initiative, a Kenyan government-led campaign targeting the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032.
Additionally, the partnership will support the development of community-based projects that empower local populations to manage forest resources sustainably, alongside the establishment of a business incubation program to help local entrepreneurs develop and market sustainable forest products.
The MoU, signed at CABI’s Regional Centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, builds on CABI’s ongoing collaboration with KEFRI and other Kenyan government agencies to deliver impactful initiatives.
These include management of invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora and the mobilization of stakeholders to collectively drive long-term efforts that will result in resilient landscapes that conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services to support sustainable livelihoods.
Landscape challenges demand collective action
Speaking at the signing ceremony Dr Dennis Rangi, CABI’s Director General, Development, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in transforming livelihoods and landscapes.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in our shared commitment to restoring ecosystems and building resilience against the impacts of climate change,” Dr Rangi said. “By joining forces, we will leverage our respective strengths in research and innovation to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.”
KEFRI CEO, Dr Jane Wangu Njuguna, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership.
“Our ecosystems are facing growing threats from invasive species and the impacts of climate change. No single organization can tackle these challenges alone. Partnering with CABI gives us access to a vast pool of global expertise and innovative tools that will strengthen our restoration efforts and help safeguard Kenya’s rich biodiversity for generations to come,” she said.
Building stronger partnerships for people and nature
CABI team met Kenya’s Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change in January 2025
At the start of this year, CABI team met with Kenya’s Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, KEFRI CEO Dr Jane Njuguna, and the National Coordinator for the 15 billion Trees Initiative, Susan Boit.
During the meeting, CABI shared two notable success stories: the Governor of Baringo County declared Lake Bogoria free of the invasive prosopis species, a milestone that has seen the return of flamingos, hippos, and other wildlife. Meanwhile, in Laikipia, women are taking the lead in rearing natural enemies to control an invasive cactus species threatening livestock and local livelihoods.
The discussion focused on scaling up collaborative efforts in landscape restoration, climate change adaptation, and invasive species management to drive long-term environmental and community resilience.
This comes as CABI advances plans for a new global initiative focused on Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) to manage environmental issues in degraded landscapes that affect stakeholders in diverse ways.
Through ILM processes, CABI aims to empower multiple stakeholders to envision how landscapes function and to collaboratively plan and implement landscape level interventions.
ILM is a globally recognized approach that fosters long-term collaboration among diverse stakeholders to manage natural resources sustainably.
Additional information
Main Image: Dr Dennis Rangi, CABI’s Director General, Development, and Dr Jane Wangu Njuguna, CEO of KEFRI, sign the MoU as Phyllis Ombonyo, Director of Strategy and Engagement, International Development at CABI, and Dr James Ndufa, Deputy Director of KEFRI, look on during the MoU signing ceremony at CABI’s Regional Centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
Relevant stories
‘Workshop in Malawi explores benefits of Integrated Landscape Management.’
‘Integrated Landscape Management Initiative Workshop – Kenya 2024.’
‘CABI and partners celebrate clearance of Prosopis inside Lake Bogoria National Reserve.’
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