Celebrating Two Decades of Sustainable Investment in Africa's Heritage
As the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2026, we look back on one of the defining moments of this milestone year: the celebration of the 10th African World Heritage Day, held on 5 May 2026 at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in Midrand, South Africa.
This special feature forms part of the Fund’s anniversary celebrations and accompanies the official AWHF@20 Anniversary Video, which captures two decades of impact, partnership and commitment to safeguarding Africa’s cultural and natural heritage. Together, the video and this feature tell the story of a continent investing in its past to shape its future.
Watch the AWHF@20 Anniversary Video below and journey through two decades of sustainable investment in Africa’s heritage.
Click Here to view the video: AWHF 20th Anniversary Video
The celebration of African World Heritage Day provided a fitting backdrop to reflect on AWHF’s remarkable journey. Bringing together government leaders, diplomatic representatives, heritage practitioners, development partners, civil society organisations and cultural ambassadors, the occasion honoured both the Fund’s achievements and the collective efforts that continue to strengthen heritage conservation across Africa.
Held under the theme “Celebrating Two Decades of Sustainable Investment in Africa’s Heritage”, the event embodied the spirit of partnership, pride and shared responsibility that has guided the Fund since its establishment in 2006.
Twenty Years of Investing in Africa’s Heritage
Established through a partnership between the African Union and the Africa Group of Ambassadors at UNESCO, the African World Heritage Fund was created in response to the underrepresentation of African sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Over the past twenty years, the Fund has grown into Africa’s leading technical and financial mechanism supporting the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. As a UNESCO Category 2 Centre and the continent’s only centre of excellence dedicated exclusively to World Heritage, AWHF has played a central role in strengthening heritage conservation, supporting nominations, providing technical assistance and building professional capacity across Africa.
The story of this journey is brought vividly to life in the AWHF@20 Anniversary Video, which highlights the milestones, partnerships and people that have shaped the Fund’s impact over two decades.
From supporting the inscription of 55 additional World Heritage properties in Africa to investing more than USD 20 million in capacity building and conservation initiatives, AWHF’s work has contributed significantly to strengthening African leadership in heritage management. Over 1,500 conservationists, archaeologists, site managers and heritage professionals have benefited from the Fund’s programmes, creating a growing network of expertise dedicated to preserving Africa’s heritage for future generations.
The impact of this work extends far beyond conservation. Across the continent, heritage is increasingly recognised as a catalyst for sustainable development, supporting tourism, strengthening communities, creating employment opportunities and fostering social cohesion and cultural identity.
Yet important challenges remain. Africa accounts for only 154 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List, representing approximately twelve percent of all inscribed sites globally, while carrying a disproportionate share of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger. These realities reinforce the importance of continued investment, stronger partnerships and sustained political commitment to heritage conservation.
A Celebration of Partnership and Shared Responsibility
The themes highlighted in the anniversary video came to life throughout the African World Heritage Day celebration itself.
The day began with a breakfast reception, welcoming guests before the formal proceedings commenced. Acclaimed broadcaster Claire Mawisa guided the programme, which opened with the South African national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and the African Union anthem Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by AWHF Board Chairperson Mr Vusithemba Ndima, who reflected on the significance of the anniversary and the importance of collective stewardship in safeguarding Africa’s cultural and natural heritage. His remarks set the tone for a day centred on partnership, investment and shared responsibility.
Ms Boitumelo Mosako, Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, reaffirmed the DBSA’s commitment as both host institution and strategic partner to the Fund. She highlighted the importance of strong governance, institutional credibility and sustainable financing in supporting heritage conservation across the continent.
The proceedings also featured a message from His Excellency José Maria Neves, President of Cabo Verde and African Union Champion for the Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Africa, whose remarks underscored the growing recognition of heritage as a continental priority.
A moving performance of My African Dream by Ms Vicky Simpson brought warmth and reflection to the celebration, reminding attendees that heritage is preserved not only through monuments and landscapes but also through music, storytelling and artistic expression.
Heritage as an Investment in Africa’s Future
A defining feature of both the anniversary celebrations and the accompanying video was the recognition of heritage as a strategic investment in Africa’s future.
Throughout the day’s programme, speakers emphasised that Africa’s cultural and natural heritage represents one of the continent’s most valuable assets, with significant potential to contribute to economic development, tourism growth and community empowerment.
An introductory message from the Honourable Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, highlighted the role of heritage in supporting local enterprise, job creation and social cohesion.
Delivering the keynote address, His Excellency Deputy President Paul Mashatile called for greater African ownership of heritage conservation and encouraged the continent to strengthen its investment in safeguarding cultural and natural resources. He emphasised that heritage should be regarded not as a peripheral concern, but as a core pillar of Africa’s development agenda.
Dr Albino Jopela, Executive Director of AWHF, reinforced the need for sustainable financing, strong institutions and long term planning to ensure heritage remains protected in the face of growing challenges such as climate change, urbanisation and conflict.
A recurring message throughout the celebration was that investment in heritage is ultimately an investment in people. Well managed heritage sites can generate income, support livelihoods, encourage sustainable tourism and strengthen a shared sense of identity and belonging.
Honouring Twenty Years of Partnership
Partnership has been central to AWHF’s success, and this was reflected in a special roundtable discussion titled “Honouring Twenty Years of Partnership and Sustainable Investment in Africa’s Heritage.”
Moderated by Ms Flora Mokgohloa, Trustee of the AWHF Board of Governors and Deputy Director General of South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the discussion brought together long standing partners and diplomatic representatives who have supported the Fund’s work over the years.
Contributors included H.E. Ms Anne Beathe Kristiansen, Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Mr Ali Achoui, Ambassador of Algeria, and Ms Gbèkè Coulibaly Moussokro, Director of Arts and Culture at the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire.
Their reflections highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration, mutual trust and shared responsibility in advancing Africa’s heritage agenda. The discussion extended beyond the panel itself, with audience members contributing reflections and messages of support that underscored the broad network of stakeholders committed to the preservation of Africa’s heritage.
The formal programme concluded with remarks from His Excellency Dr Philimon Mjwara, South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and AWHF Board Member, who reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration in safeguarding the continent’s heritage legacy.
A Celebration of Legacy and Possibility
The celebration concluded with a family photograph, followed by a commemorative lunch and vibrant cultural performances by the Amasiko Marimba Band. The atmosphere was one of unity, pride and optimism.
More than an anniversary event, the gathering served as a celebration of the people, institutions and partnerships that have shaped AWHF’s journey over the last twenty years. It recognised governments, communities, heritage professionals, donors and development partners whose commitment has helped strengthen heritage conservation across Africa.
The messages shared throughout the day echoed those reflected in the AWHF@20 Anniversary Video: that Africa’s heritage is one of its greatest assets and one of its greatest opportunities.
Looking Ahead
As the African World Heritage Fund enters its third decade, the celebration offered both an opportunity to reflect on the past and a platform to envision the future.
The Fund’s priorities for the years ahead include strengthening resilience against climate change and conflict, expanding support to underrepresented countries, increasing capacity building opportunities and mobilising sustainable financing through the proposed USD 25 Million Endowment Fund.
Equally important is the continued effort to engage younger generations and deepen public appreciation for the value of heritage across Africa.
The AWHF@20 Anniversary Video serves as a reminder of how much has been achieved through vision, partnership and sustained investment over the past two decades. It also offers a glimpse into the work that still lies ahead.
Twenty years after its establishment, the African World Heritage Fund continues to demonstrate that investing in heritage is investing in Africa itself.
As the anniversary celebrations continue throughout 2026, this feature and the accompanying video stand as a tribute to two decades of sustainable investment in Africa’s heritage and to the countless individuals and institutions helping to carry that vision forward.
Africa’s heritage is not merely a legacy of the past. It is a living resource, a source of identity and pride, and a foundation for the continent’s future.
The Future Has Roots
A powerful cultural interlude followed in the form of a spoken word performance by poet Thabiso Mohare, widely known as Afurakan.
His poem, The Future Has Roots: Investing in Africa’s Heritage, offered a fitting reflection on the significance of the occasion. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the performance celebrated Africa’s cultural and natural treasures while affirming the belief that heritage remains a foundation for progress, dignity and sustainable development.
The poem’s message resonated strongly with the broader anniversary theme: that heritage is not simply inherited, but actively protected, nurtured and reimagined by each generation.
The Future Has Roots
Investing in Africa’s Heritage
Twenty years ago
Africa formed a promise.
That her sacred places would stand
in full splendour of recognition.
That her mountains, rivers, forests, ruins,
kingdoms, coastlines, manuscripts,
and living traditions
would be honoured
not as echoes of yesterday,
but engines of tomorrow.
Two decades ago
Africa chose memory as foundation for progress.
She chose heritage to bridge generations.
She chose investment as an act of belief.
And today, we gather
where vision meets responsibility
where culture meets capital
where history places its hand
on the shoulder of the future and says:
Walk proudly.
You come from greatness.
From the Namib Sand Sea
where silence wears a golden crown,
to Meroe where stone still carries royalty;
From Mbanza Kongo to Timbuktu;
From Ennedi’s ancient cliffs,
Where the desert keeps its memory;
From Salonga’s green breath
to Lake Malawi’s blue mirror;
From the Drakensberg’s ancient walls
to Great Zimbabwe’s sovereign stone
Africa speaks in many voices
but one truth: Our heritage is alive.
Across a generation
the African World Heritage Fund
has taken the language of legacy
and given it hands.
Hands that train the guardian and steady the scholar;
that read the landscape restore the monument
listen to the elder and mould young minds
to shape the here-after.
Now,
at the bright edge of a collective milestone
we do not close a chapter; we raise a horizon.
Let every pledge made here; become a seed
Every partnership a river
Let every commitment
swing wide the gates of possibility
Where young Africans rise
with ancestry in their spine
purpose in their hands
and the next dawn within reach.
Heritage is more than what we inherit.
Heritage is what we awaken.
It is memory in motion
Identity in action
Development with a soul.
Today
we do not simply remember.We renew.
We invest.
We celebrate.
And together we say:
Africa
your heritage is a living flame.
May it burn as beacon and birthright
lighting the road for generations.
May it rise from root to star
from memory to miracle
Africa’s living flame –
brilliant, boundless and forever ours!
Thabiso Mohare aka Afurakan