Regional Centre of Excellence - RCoE

11/05/2026

Where the desert meets the ocean... the Namib is one of Earth's most extraordinary paradoxes.

Bordering the icy Atlantic, you'd expect rain. Instead, the cold Benguela Current steals every drop of moisture before it even reaches land, leaving behind one of the driest places on the planet.

Nature doesn't do ordinary. It does breathtaking.


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11/05/2026

Behind every forest protected, every river kept clean, every ecosystem that thrives, there is often a woman who made it happen.

Women are guardians of nature, but how often are they at the decision-making table? Women in local communities across the globe carry generations of knowledge about the land. They plant, protect, and preserve, and it's time the world saw their impact.

Conservation is not inclusive until women are at the centre of it.


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08/05/2026

Turning biodiversity data into action — because informed decisions are the foundation of effective conservation.

From field observations to national policy, this conversation unpacks how biodiversity data is shaping real conservation action across Eastern and Southern A...

01/05/2026

Honouring the hands that build, grow, and sustain our world. Today we celebrate the dignity of work and the power of workers. Happy Labour Day.

Happy New Month!


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30/04/2026

🏆 We did it!
We are proud to announce that Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award by Esri!

The project, hosted by Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development - RCMRD, supports 24 countries across the region in: ✅ Monitoring ecosystems ✅ Improving planning and management of protected and conserved areas ✅ Contributing to reporting under of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework ( ).

This recognition is a testament to what becomes possible when geospatial technology meets purpose-driven work. It reflects the dedication of our teams, partners, and the communities we serve across the region.

In July 2026, Esri President & Founder Jack Dangermond will officially announce our recognition during the Plenary Session at the Esri User Conference in San Diego, CA, USA, one of the world's most prestigious gatherings of GIS professionals.

We are proud to stand among organizations using geospatial innovation to improve our world.

📅 July 13, 2026 | Esri UC Plenary Session | San Diego, CA, USA

🔗 https://events.esri.com/conference/sagList/?fa=Detail&SID=10131

European Commission | European Union in Kenya | CIFOR-ICRAF | United Nations Biodiversity | EU International Partnerships


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29/04/2026

Unlike most animal species that release scent from obvious glands on the face or body, the Gerenuk has a surprising strategy, by marking its territory using scent glands located behind its knees and even inside its hooves, leaving chemical signals as it walks through its environment. These scents help communicate territory boundaries and also play a role in reproduction by signaling pheromones to other gerenuks.

The gerenuk, whose name means “giraffe-necked” in Somali, is an exceptionally long-necked antelope. It has a relatively small head, with large eyes and ears. Only males have horns; stout, heavily ringed and paired with a more muscular neck than females. Their coat is brown along the upper back and lighter along the sides.

Native to Africa, the gerenuk is found Tanzania, Kenya, southern Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.


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28/04/2026

Every bird that sings and every plant that grows is part of a delicate story we’re all living in 🌿🐦

When we protect natural habitats, we’re not just saving trees or species, we’re preserving the balance that sustains life itself. Birds help pollinate plants, spread seeds, and keep ecosystems thriving. Plants, in turn, clean our air, stabilize our soil, and provide shelter for countless forms of life.

Conservation isn’t a distant idea, it’s something we can practice every day. Plant something. Protect green spaces. Respect wildlife. Because when nature thrives, so do we. 💚

The implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework happens on the ground, through the actions of people everywhere.



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27/04/2026

Last week, our team attended the ArcX (Africa Regional Centres of Excellence) partners meeting held at the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission's science and knowledge service hub, located in Italy. ArcX is a continental initiative contributing to the African Union–European Union Innovation Agenda and aligned with the EU Global Gateway Strategy. It supports research and innovation across five interconnected areas namely; water, biodiversity, agroecology, ocean, and climate change. Thus strengthening science-based solutions for sustainable development. At RCMRD, ArcX is implemented by the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forest and Seascape Ecosytstems Management that spans 24 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. RCoE was established to bridge this gap; transforming data into decisions, and strengthening how countries monitor, plan, and manage their natural resources. The partners meeting focused on the Biodiversity and Forest Component.

24/04/2026

Ancient, misty, and teeming with life, the Eastern Arc Mountains are among Africa’s most remarkable biodiversity treasures, yet remain largely underrecognized globally.
Spanning Kenya and Tanzania, these mountain ranges host some of the continent’s oldest forests, home to an exceptional number of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Their long ecological history and unique microclimates make them critical not only for biodiversity, but also for climate resilience and water security.
As global attention turns toward nature-based solutions, landscapes like the Eastern Arc Mountains remind us that some of the most valuable ecosystems are still overlooked, and urgently need stronger visibility, investment, and protection.

24/04/2026

Ancient, misty, and teeming with life, the Eastern Arc Mountains are among Africa’s most remarkable biodiversity treasures, yet remain largely underrecognized globally.
Spanning Kenya and Tanzania, these mountain ranges host some of the continent’s oldest forests, home to an exceptional number of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Their long ecological history and unique microclimates make them critical not only for biodiversity, but also for climate resilience and water security.
As global attention turns toward nature-based solutions, landscapes like the Eastern Arc Mountains remind us that some of the most valuable ecosystems are still overlooked, and urgently need stronger visibility, investment, and protection.

Conservation SustainableDevelopment ClimateResilience Forests EnvironmentalProtection Africa BiodiversityHotspot EndemicSpecies ProtectNature GreenFuture

22/04/2026

Today, we celebrate the only home we all share. From our forests to our oceans, every ecosystem is connected, and every action we take matters.

Let’s protect what sustains us: plant a tree, reduce waste, conserve water, and stand up for nature. Small steps today create a greener, healthier tomorrow.

Because there is no Planet B.