In West and Central Africa, the GEF has a robust portfolio: we have invested $290 million in 75 biodiversity projects, and leveraged nearly three times more in co-fi nancing from outside sources. This publication details some important successes in West and Central Africa, and highlights lessons the GEF has learned to help countries more effectively manage biodiversity
and invest GEF resources.

Programs for sustainable management of the Congo Basin forests and biodiversity conservation in West Africa were instrumental in developing better-coordinated approaches and making the GEF an effective vehicle to drive country ownership.