Guinea

Located in West Africa, the Republic of Guinea is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, with a wide array of wildlife and plant species.

Twenty-two West African rivers originate here, including the Niger – Africa’s third longest – and the Gambia and Senegal Rivers. Protecting the forests that act as watersheds for these rivers is therefore crucial not only for biodiversity but for the health and well-being of millions of people.

But Guinea’s wildlife is under threat from mining, hunting for wild meat, illegal wildlife trade and large-scale deforestation. With a rapidly rising population and capacity challenges, these pressures will only increase. An estimated 99% of households in Guinea rely on firewood for fuel. Guinea is one of the least economically developed countries in the world, so conservation solutions need to enable people to make a living while protecting the country’s biodiversity.

What wildlife does Guinea support?

The south of Guinea contains important remnants of the Upper Guinean Forest that once covered the whole of West Africa. The biodiversity here is stunning – elephants, chimpanzees, rare forest antelopes and many more endangered species all rely on this unique habitat.

Guinea’s coastal mangroves support a range of birdlife and marine species including the threatened West African manatee.