Strategic Partnership
Apr 04, 2026
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In March 2026, the Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the South West Development Authority (SOWEDA), marking a significant step toward accelerating climate-resilient development and environmental sustainability in Cameroon’s South West Region. The partnership brings together ACEF’s expertise in climate action, environmental governance, and community-led conservation with SOWEDA’s mandate to drive integrated rural development across the region. Through this collaboration, the two institutions aim to strengthen climate resilience, restore ecosystems, and enhance sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Cameroon’s South West Region is rich in biodiversity and natural resources, supporting thousands of farming and rural households. However, the region is increasingly facing environmental pressures including climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Recognizing the urgency of these challenges, ACEF and SOWEDA have joined forces to promote sustainable development solutions that integrate climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and inclusive economic growth. This strategic collaboration reflects a shared vision: ensuring that rural development initiatives remain environmentally sustainable while empowering communities to become active participants in climate solutions.
The partnership outlines several priority areas that will guide joint action and program implementation:
The institutions will promote climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land-use practices, and resilient water management systems such as community dams and boreholes. These interventions aim to enhance food security, protect ecosystems, and improve the economic resilience of rural communities.
Large-scale restoration initiatives will be developed to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, protect critical watersheds and wetlands, and integrate biodiversity conservation into rural infrastructure planning.
Through training workshops and technical support programs, ACEF and SOWEDA will strengthen the capacity of local communities, extension workers, and project partners on climate change mitigation, sustainable resource management, and modern conservation practices.
The partnership will pursue a co-development model to attract international climate and development financing. This includes developing and submitting proposals to major funding partners such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility to support climate-smart rural development projects.
A key pillar of the collaboration will focus on strengthening Cameroon’s access to global climate finance mechanisms. ACEF will provide technical leadership in the design of a national carbon registry and verification protocols aligned with the Paris Agreement.This initiative aims to support the development of a national carbon market framework that can unlock new funding opportunities while promoting ecosystem restoration and sustainable land-use practices.
Beyond project implementation, the partnership will also support the integration of climate and environmental considerations into infrastructure development and rural planning processes. ACEF will contribute to climate risk assessments, environmental impact evaluations, and policy development to ensure that SOWEDA’s agriculture, water, and infrastructure programs are climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable.
The Memorandum of Understanding will run for an initial period of three years, with regular monitoring and evaluation to track progress and impact. Through joint initiatives, resource mobilization, and community engagement, ACEF and SOWEDA aim to deliver transformative projects that strengthen resilience and support sustainable growth in Cameroon’s South West Region.
This partnership reflects a growing recognition that collaborative approaches are essential to addressing Africa’s climate and environmental challenges. By combining technical expertise, institutional networks, and grassroots engagement, ACEF and SOWEDA are laying the foundation for a future where communities, ecosystems, and economies can thrive together.