Across Africa’s savannas rapid demographic growth, agricultural expansion, and resource degradation are putting increasing pressure on the natural ecosystems that sustain rural livelihoods and economies. This project empowers community leaders in eastern Senegal and central Chad to document, monitor and protect biodiversity within these critical ecosystems. Leveraging online platforms, these leaders are mapping the distribution of vital plant species in biodiverse areas and helping communities better understand and address the threats to their natural heritage. An initial grant with JRS in 2023 demonstrated that this training raises awareness and deepens local commitment to biodiversity conservation.

In Senegal, with support from IFAN, the project will continue developing multilingual training materials in French, Wolof and other local languages to expand biodiversity education within schools and communities. In Chad, SOS SAHEL and the University of N’Djamena will lead a similar biodiversity mapping pilot in regions where agriculture increasingly replaces native vegetation, including plots that produce gum arabic. To amplify impact, the project will mobilize a coalition of partners advocating for the preservation of plant biodiversity, engaging with policymakers in Senegal, Chad, and leaders of the Great Green Wall initiative.

To implement this project on the ground in both countries (Senegal and Chad), SOS SAHEL will be working with its operational partner: A Better Life (ABL).

The project’s success will be measured by the volume of biodiversity observations and the number of engaged observers on digital platforms, as well as by the integration of biodiversity considerations across sectors such as education, agriculture, and livestock management, influencing policies for more sustainable development.

The Biodiversity Mapping in Transfrontier Buffer Zones project identifies three core objectives:

• Equip local stakeholders in eastern Senegal and central Chad—especially community leaders—with the skills to monitor and protect biodiversity in their regions using the established online platform iNaturalist.
• Expand biodiversity knowledge to wider audiences by training adults and young students to observe and record local species, fostering a community-wide commitment to conservation.
• Engage policymakers across sectors—including education, agriculture, and natural resource management—to raise awareness of biodiversity threats and encourage sustainable land use practices.

Abdou Aziz Sy Sagna is a seasoned expert in strategy, investment, public policy, and structural transformation, with over 15 years of experience in consulting, project management, and strategic planning across Africa. Since April 2020, he has been serving as the Deputy Executive Director of SOS SAHEL International France, where he leads the NGO’s transformation and development strategy, optimizes project portfolio management, and enhances operational impact across 11 Sahelian countries. Prior to this, Abdou Aziz spent nearly a decade as a Manager of Strategy and Operational Transformation at Performances Group, a leading strategy consulting firm in Francophone Africa. With a strong background in applied mathematics and statistics, he has also contributed to research and data-driven decision-making in various organizations. Fluent in French and proficient in English, he thrives in multicultural environments, demonstrating leadership, rigor, and a strong commitment to impactful change.

Etienne Djedangombaye is an Agricultural Engineer with expertise in sustainable crop production, soil restoration, agroforestry, irrigation techniques, and agricultural project management. Since 2021, he has been serving SOS SAHEL as Chad Country Director and leading the ALBIA project that aims at protecting the Ouadi Rime Ouadi Achim reserve. Prior to that,he has been serving as the National Director of the Forest Garden Project in Chad, funded by Trees for the Future, where he oversees project teams, manages resources, and implements agroforestry initiatives to promote reforestation and sustainable farming. His role also includes partnership development with government institutions and international organizations, as well as securing funding for large-scale agricultural and environmental projects. Previously, Etienne held key positions in food security, rural development, and project monitoring and evaluation, notably with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Food Security Program (PNSA) in Chad. He has extensive experience in agricultural research, strategic planning, and capacity-building for local communities. As an entrepreneur, he owns a farm and actively promotes agribusiness development. Certified in project management and evaluation software, he is also skilled in training and data analysis.

Boubié Jean-Marie Kadio is an experienced International Project Coordinator specializing in local development, water engineering, hygiene, sanitation (WASH), and agro-training. He is currently the coordinator of SOS SAHEL projects in South-East Senegal. Based in Kédougou, he covers the regions of Tambacounda and Kolda in close liaison with our local partners, and the decentralized technical services and manages various projects that contribute to the protection of the Niokolo Koba reserve.  He has more than 20 years of multi-country experience in coordinating, steering and implementing development projects/programmes in Burkina Faso, Djibouti and Senegal in various fields (water, hygiene and sanitation, agriculture, livestock). He is a graduate engineer of the International Institute of Water and Environment Engineering (2IE) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with a specialization in Water Engineering, Sanitation and Hydro-Agricultural Facilities. With a strong commitment to capacity-building, he has trained professionals, local leaders, and communities to enhance to protect their environment and enhance their livelihoods. Kadio brings strong leadership, strategic vision, and hands-on technical expertise to international development projects