Africa stands at the crossroads of extraordinary opportunity and critical urgency. The post-pandemic era has revealed a pivotal moment to rebuild responsibly, tackling the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and food insecurity. At the heart of this transformation are Africa’s landscapes – natural treasures that sustain life locally and balance ecosystems globally – and the resilient communities that call them home. 

Across the continent, communities have risen to the challenge, blending their deep-rooted knowledge with bold, innovative solutions to protect and restore their landscapes. Recognizing their unparalleled leadership, the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) has doubled down on its mission in Africa, serving as a force multiplier of locally led action and solutions.

Since establishing a presence in Africa, the GLF has become a catalyst for change – bridging divides, amplifying voices, and driving action. Through dynamic platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange, we have unlocked the potential of communities to shape their destinies with credible knowledge as the foundation. By championing community-led practices, nurturing local leadership and forging transformative partnerships, we have witnessed the power of ground-up action to deliver scalable, sustainable impact. 

The momentum is undeniable. Women and youth are emerging as trailblazers. Communities are embracing solutions that combine resilience with prosperity. Stakeholders across sectors are rallying behind locally driven approaches. Together, we have shown that sustainable change is possible when local actors are provided with the right support and resources – and it is happening now. 

But this is only the beginning. The pace of the challenges we face demands an urgent scaling of our efforts. To reverse landscape degradation, safeguard biodiversity, combat the climate crisis and secure livelihoods, we must further enhance capacity and resources to the right place. This progress made thus far would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners. To BMZ, RBSG, BMU/IKI, GEF, the Government of Canada, the IMFN, and others – we extend our deepest gratitude. Your financial and technical contributions have been instrumental in this journey.

As we look to the future, the GLF remains committed to connect, share and learn across African landscapes. We call on partners, allies and visionaries from every corner of the globe to join us. Together, we can build a future where Africa leads the world in sustainable land use and green transformation – a future powered by Africa, for Africa and with Africa.