NAIROBI, Kenya — Karura Forest on Friday hosted a delegation from Côte d’Ivoire for a guided forest walk and a knowledge exchange programme focused on innovative forest monitoring initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In a statement, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) said the visit aimed to strengthen regional collaboration and promote knowledge sharing on sustainable forest management and ecosystem protection.
The delegation was received by Edward Munene, Overall In-Charge of the Karura Forest Ecosystem Facility, who introduced the team to conservation, restoration, and recreational activities across different forest blocks within the urban forest.
KFS said the exchange programme provided an opportunity for both countries to share experiences on monitoring systems, restoration strategies, and community engagement models that support long-term conservation.
During the engagement, Eli Kogei, a forester with Friends of Karura Forest, underscored the role of partnerships in driving restoration efforts.
“Collaboration among institutions strengthens sustainable forest management, enhances monitoring systems, and promotes effective knowledge sharing,” KFS said, quoting Kogei.
The programme brought together Kenyan stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, KFS, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), CIFOR-ICRAF, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Green Africa Foundation.
Officials said the presence of multilateral agencies and research institutions reflected the growing emphasis on data-driven forest governance and climate resilience strategies across the continent.
Karura Forest, one of Nairobi’s largest urban forests, plays a critical ecological role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and water catchment protection.
It also serves as a model of public-community partnership in conservation, following years of advocacy that secured its protection from land grabbing and unchecked development.
Regional cooperation on forest monitoring has gained urgency amid increasing threats from deforestation, climate change, and urban expansion.
According to environmental experts, improved surveillance technologies, community-based monitoring, and shared research data are central to achieving sustainable forest management targets under continental and global climate frameworks.
KFS said the visit underscored the value of cross-border collaboration in advancing ecosystem protection and ensuring long-term forest conservation in Africa.
