This report was commissioned under the REDAA programme to examine pressing issues of environmental degradation in Central Africa. Its purpose is to identify research‑to‑action priorities (RTAPs) that can strengthen evidence, improve tools, and enhance governance systems to reverse degradation and restore ecosystems.
A mixed‑methods approach was employed, combining:
- Literature review of over 100 academic and grey sources from the past decade;
- Stakeholder interviews with regional experts in forestry, ecology, governance, and environmental science; and
- Online survey responses from eight practitioners to capture causes of degradation and challenges in reversing it.
The report highlights priority ecosystems and hotspots: Lake Chad, Central Africa’s drylands and deserts, Mangrove forests and the Congo Basin. Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo are identified as countries facing severe environmental challenges, requiring urgent intervention.
The report also delves into an analysis of degraded landscapes and socio‑economic contexts, a review of ongoing initiatives in sustainable land use, reduced deforestation, and conservation, emphasizing opportunities for REDAA to build on existing work. It also gives an ssessment of evidence gaps, tool limitations, and governance challenges, pointing to opportunities for stronger policy, capacity building, and community engagement.
The scoping study sets the stage for REDAA to play a catalytic role in ecosystem restoration by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment across Central Africa.
REDAA is funded by UK International Development from the Foreign,Commonwealth and Development Office and managed by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
