Collaboration will help eligible African governments pair GEF-9 resources with up to $50 million in matched philanthropic funding from the Rob Walton Foundation, with technical assistance from Conservation International
The Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership today welcomed a new collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Rob Walton Foundation (RWF) designed to help eligible African governments mobilize greater support for the effective management of Africa’s Keystone Protected Areas — 162 protected and conserved areas identified as foundational to biodiversity, water security, livelihoods, and sustainable development across the continent.
Through the GEF-RWF collaboration, eligible countries that choose to direct GEF-9 resources toward non-governmental organizations working in Keystone Protected Areas may receive matched philanthropic funding from RWF. RWF has committed up to $50 million in matching funds and welcomes the opportunity to invest more if African nations demonstrate greater interest. Conservation International (CI), a partner collaborator of the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership (Keystone Partnership), is available to provide technical assistance to support country-led project development aligned with GEF processes and national conservation priorities.
The Keystone Partnership was launched in September 2025 by African leaders to support the long-term protection and effective management of the continent’s Keystone Protected Areas. It brings together governments, communities, conservation organizations, and funders around a shared goal: strengthening management of 162 protected areas across the continent by 2035.
Keystone Protected Areas are among Africa’s most important natural assets, and their long-term success depends on country leadership, durable partnerships, and sustained investment. This new collaboration is intended to create a practical pathway for governments to mobilize additional resources and technical support for landscapes identified as national and continental priorities.
Under the collaboration, participating countries may receive support including:
- Matched philanthropic funding from RWF for eligible Keystone Protected Area projects;
- Technical assistance from CI for project development and proposal preparation;
- Support aligning project concepts with GEF processes and country priorities; and
- Opportunities to strengthen collaborative management partnerships among governments, communities, and conservation organizations.
RWF’s matched funding would be available to support NGOs with long-term collaborative management partnerships with governments to manage Keystone Protected Areas, where strong operational capacity exists—if countries choose to direct GEF-9 resources towards the same NGOs.
“Long-term conservation outcomes require steady, aligned funding and strong local partnerships,” said Duko Hopman, Executive Director, Rob Walton Foundation. “By matching eligible GEF-9 resources allocated to effective NGOs, RWF hopes to help countries accelerate support for the Keystone Protected Areas that are critical to nature, livelihoods, and long-term resilience.”
The collaboration also reflects GEF’s continued focus on supporting country-led action to advance global biodiversity and climate goals.
“Achieving global environmental goals will require durable partnerships and country-led action,” said Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility. “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to helping countries strengthen management of some of Africa’s most important landscapes while mobilizing additional resources, expertise, and long-term support for people and nature.”
Countries interested in learning more about the collaboration and potential participation are encouraged to engage with the Keystone Partnership and participating GEF agencies.
Learn more at: https://africakeystones.org
Press release originally published by Rob Walton Foundation.
About the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership
The Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership is a pan-African effort to support the long-term protection and effective management of 162 of Africa’s most irreplaceable protected and conserved areas by 2035. The Partnership brings together African governments, communities, conservation organizations, and funders to strengthen conservation outcomes, support livelihoods, and safeguard landscapes foundational to biodiversity, water security, and sustainable development. It was launched in 2025 by its founding partners the Rob Walton Foundation (RWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), African Parks (AP), and Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), alongside the African Union and African government leaders. It currently includes collaborations with 20 African Government Country Champions, Conservation International (CI), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) Group, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Fauna & Flora International, and Campaign for Nature (CfN), among others. The Partnership is actively expanding as it broadens collaborations with key stakeholders in priority countries.
About the Global Environment Facility
The Global Environment Facility is the world’s largest multilateral fund for the environment. Its family of funds helps developing countries address complex environmental challenges and work toward international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $27 billion in financing and mobilized more than $155 billion for country-driven priority projects.
About the Rob Walton Foundation
The Rob Walton Foundation supports large-scale conservation efforts and collaborative partnerships, primarily in Africa. The Foundation focuses on long-term, high-impact strategies that work with governments, NGOs, and communities to protect critical ecosystems, support livelihoods, and strengthen community resilience.
About Conservation International
Conservation International works to protect nature for people. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and partnerships, Conservation International supports efforts to conserve critical ecosystems, advance sustainable development, and help communities and governments protect the natural systems on which people depend.