Lake Malawi National Park

Malawi

M'Zab Valley

 Algeria

Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata

Mauritania

Mana Pools National Park

 Zimbabwe

Kerkouane

  Tunisia

Twyfelfontein

Namibia

Thimlich Ohinga

Kenya

Barberton Makhonjwa

Mpumalanga – South Africa

Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad

Algeria

Lalibela

Ethiopia

Investing in heritage

WELCOME TO THE AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE FUND

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an inter-governmental organisation that was launched in 2006 with the mission to support the effective conservation and protection of natural and cultural heritage of outstanding universal value in Africa. Together with the African Members States of UNESCO and the African Union, the main aim is to develop a strategy to deal with the challenges that many African countries meet in implementing the 1972 World Heritage Convention. 

The UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites in Africa are some of the most spectacular places on earth. The importance of preserving and promoting this cultural heritage escalates with each passing year. It is vital to raise awareness of this rich heritage while informing people of its value and gaining support for the conservation and development of these sites. We invite you to visit our website and learn more about the work of the African World Heritage Fund. Thank you!

DID YOU KNOW?

As of July 2021, Africa is underrepresented on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List with only 139 Sites listed from 1154 in the world, thus constituting only 12% representation. However, Africa is also over-represented on the World Heritage List in Danger with 21 Sites from 52 Sites listed in danger in the world, thus constituting 40% of the List. The situation is challenging to reverse.

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Call for Applications: Consultancy Services

Consultancy to Conduct a Situational Analysis of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site Background The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) was established in 2006 to support the effective conservation and protection of Africa’s natural and cultural...

Workshop on the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage in Africa

Background World Heritage interpretation and presentation refers to the processes and methods of communicating the values and significance of a World Heritage site to local communities, visitors and the wider public. Interpretation and presentation are critical for...

A Tribute to Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa

A Tribute to Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa23 January 1967 – 29 September 2025Dear Partners and Friends, It is with profound sadness, humility, and deep respect that we at the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) mourn the passing of Ambassador...

Strengthening African Heritage: AWHF Leads Preliminary Assessment Workshop in Algeria

​ The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), in close partnership with the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria through the Ministry of Culture and Arts, successfully convened the International Workshop on Preliminary Assessment for World Heritage Nomination from 8 to...

AWHF Chairperson and Patron meet in Cairo to Advance Africa’s Heritage Diplomacy

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE FUNDMeeting in Cairo, 2 September 2025 The Chairperson of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), Mr. Vusithemba Ndima, and the Patron of the Fund, Professor Khalid El-Enany, met in Cairo on 2 September 2025...

Call for Grant Evaluators

Closing Date: 31 July 2025 1. Background The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) was created in 2006 to support the effective conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value in Africa. The main objective of AWHF is to address...

Call for Applications – Conservation Grants

Closing date: 31 July 2025 1. The African World Heritage Fund The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization created in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to support the effective conservation and protection of cultural and natural...

Call for Applications: Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant

Closing date: 31 July 2025 1. The African World Heritage Fund The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization created in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to support the effective conservation and protection of cultural and natural...

AWHF is Hiring a Programme Specialist

Join the Mission to Safeguard Africa’s Heritage The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is excited to announce a new opportunity for a passionate and skilled professional to join our team as a Programme Specialist. This role is more than a job—it’s a chance to be part...

 A Village, Its Salt, and a Dream of a World Heritage Status

Nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Albert in western Uganda lies the Kibiro Salt Producing Village. The property, situated in the captivating Kigorobya Sub-County, Hoima District, within the territorial boundaries of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. It is positioned...

Workshop on Entrepreneurship at World Heritage Sites

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION Deadline for Application: 27 February 2025 Workshop on Enterpreneurship at World Heritage Sites 10 to 13 March, Johannesburg - South AfricaBackground The African Union Agenda’s ten-year implementation plan aims to achieve a 25% reduction in...

AWHF #MyAfricanHeritage Competition

 "Safeguarding Africa’s Heritage Through Education" 5 - 25 May 2024 AWHF My African Heritage Competition On the occasion of the celebrations of Africa World Heritage Day, under the theme "My African Heritage", the African World Heritage Fund is calling on all Africans...

Celebrating African World Heritage Day

THEME: "Safeguarding Africa’s Heritage Through Education"  Date: 5 MAY 2024 Venue: African Continent and Diaspora Proclaimed by the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO (November 2015), African World Heritage Day (AWHD) on 5th of May is an opportunity for...

CELEBRATING AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE DAY: 5 MAY 2022

Proclaimed by the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, African World Heritage Day is an opportunity for people around the world, particularly Africans, to celebrate the continents outstanding cultural and natural...

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