The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) marks 20 years of safeguarding, promoting, and advancing Africa’s cultural and natural heritage.
Established in 2006 by UNESCO and the African Union, AWHF was created to address two critical challenges: the underrepresentation of African properties on the World Heritage List and the limited financial and technical capacity across the continent to effectively protect heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.
Two decades later, the impact is clear, and growing.
Two Decades of Impact Across the Continent
Since its establishment, AWHF has:
- Supported over 50 African countries
- Invested more than USD 20 million in nomination, conservation, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Contributed to the inscription of new African World Heritage Sites
- Played a key role in removing multiple African properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Building African Expertise and Leadership
A cornerstone of the Fund’s work is capacity building. Over the past 20 years, AWHF has trained hundreds of African heritage professionals, supported advanced academic research, and fostered a pan-African network of specialists in conservation, site management, nomination processes, and heritage policy.
By investing in people, the Fund ensures that African States Parties are equipped to nominate, manage and safeguard their heritage independently and sustainably.
This commitment aligns closely with continental development priorities and the vision of African Union Agenda 2063, which recognises culture and heritage as strategic drivers of unity, economic growth and social cohesion.
Addressing Ongoing Challenges
Despite progress, African heritage continues to face significant pressures from climate change and rapid urban development to conflict and resource constraints.
AWHF’s role remains vital. Through advocacy, technical support and strategic partnerships, the Fund continues to strengthen resilience across heritage sites while promoting heritage as a development asset rather than a competing priority.
To secure long-term sustainability, AWHF has established and continues to strengthen its Endowment Fund, while engaging governments, development partners and the private sector to take shared ownership of Africa’s heritage future.
AWHF@20
The 20th Anniversary will be commemorated through a series of high-level engagements and partnership initiatives throughout 2026, including participation at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.
More than a celebration, AWHF@20 is an opportunity to reflect on achievements, reaffirm commitment, and mobilise support for the next decade of impact.
Africa’s heritage is central to identity, unity, social cohesion, and economic development. Protecting it requires political recognition, sustainable funding, and long-term commitment.
As the African World Heritage Fund enters its third decade, its message is unequivocal:
Africa’s heritage is Africa’s wealth and it is worth protecting.
Twenty years on, AWHF stands as proof that African institutions can endure, deliver impact, and shape global heritage narratives. The work continues with renewed resolve.
For partnership opportunities and information about AWHF@20 celebrations, please contact:
VeronicaM@dbsa.org
