Despite the world renown of these sites, they are often faced with threats such as civil conflict, pollution/climate change, development/uncontrolled urbanization that have negative effects on their World Heritage values.

The sites range from cultural sites linked to the slave trade and history such as Kunta Kinteh Island and Gorée Island to natural wonders and protected habitats such as Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve to the cultural landscapes of Delta de Saloum or Historic Centers like Cidade Velha. They all sites symbolize the richness and diversity of West Africa’s history, culture and landscape.

Protect for future generations

UNESCO is providing financial and technical support to countries in West Africa in order to ensure that their World Heritage sites are promoted and protected for future generations.

“Our experience in West Africa shows that countries need appropriate financial support to manage their sites effectively as well as strong technical support for sustainable results", highlights Guiomar Alonso Cano, Head of Culture for the UNESCO Dakar Office.

Wide range of support

UNESCO supports these countries through different funding and technical assistance mechanisms including:

• Preparation of “tentative lists” for the Cabo Verde, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, including consultations with stakeholders and local communities for the identification of natural and cultural sites in view of future World Heritage nominations.
• Preparation of nomination dossiers like the ancient metallurgic sites in the areas Boose et Bwi (Burkina Faso) which bears witness of early production and processing of iron in sub-Saharan Africa. This fosters a better representation of African heritage sites on the World Heritage List which has recently been enriched with new sites in Niger (2013) and Senegal (2012).
• Facilitating access to training opportunities offered by World Heritage partners ranging from entrepreneurship development at the community level (African World Heritage Foundation) to management of rehabilitation of World Heritage cities (AfriCAP 2016 – CRAterre/Association Internationale des Maires Francophones AIMF /ACP Cultures+) among others.
• Profiling World Heritage Sites, promoting their visibility and unique value as well as exploring their linkages with urban development, tourism and creative entrepreneurship (Cabo Verde).
• Development of Management Plans for Kunta Kinteh, Island in the Gambia, Saint Louis and Gorée island in Senegal; as well as monitoring missions for the state of conservation of properties such as the Niokolo Koba National Park.
• Leading post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Timbutku, Mali, where UNESCO has undertaken with a coalition of donors the reconstruction of destroyed mausoleums, the rehabilitation of mosques and private libraries, as well as ancient manuscript conservation projects.

Contributions of World Heritage

World Heritage can make an important contribution to social, economic and environmental development goals, including employment and preservation of natural and cultural resources. UNESCO’s support to the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention in West Africa includes financial and technical assistance to States Parties in order to reinforce the protection of World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage properties.

Join us in supporting West Africa’s World Heritage sites

Volunteer to be a World Heritage Volunteer

Promote World Heritage Education in your schools

Become a responsible tourist at World Heritage sites

Partner with us

Offer financial support towards the conservation of a World Heritage site

Western Africa’s World Heritage sites:

Burkina Faso:

• Ruins of Loropéni

Cabo Verde:

• Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

The Gambia:

• Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites;
• Stone Circles of Senegambia (trans boundary property with Senegal)

Mali:

• Timbuktu;
• Old Towns of Djenné;
• Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons);
• Tomb of Askia

Niger:

• Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves;
• W National Park of Niger;
• Historic Centre of Agadez

 Senegal:

• Island of Gorée;
• Niokolo-Koba National Park;
• Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary ;
• Island of Saint-Louis ;
• Stone Circles of Senegambia ;
• Saloum Delta;
• Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes