Guinea

Located in West Africa, Guinea is officially known as the Republic of Guinea (not to be confused with Equatorial Guinea or Guinea-Bissau). The country is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, and Guinea’s 12 million people share their home with an impressive 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.

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

But Guinea’s wildlife is under threat from mining, bush meat hunting, illegal wildlife trade and massive deforestation. With a rapidly rising population and capacity challenges, these pressures will only increase. Guinea is ranked 183 out of 188 on the Human Development Index, so conservation solutions need to be found that enable people to make a living while protecting their natural assets into the future.