From Reforestation to Agroecology: A Dutch Biodiversity Strategy for Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire, once a land of lush rainforests and unmatched biodiversity, has lost 90% of its forests in recent decades, mainly due to agriculture and cocoa production. As the largest importer of Ivorian cocoa, the Netherlands has both a responsibility and an opportunity to contribute to sustainable land use and nature restoration. How can a Dutch biodiversity strategy help restore the balance between agriculture and nature?
Context
Côte d'Ivoire was once known for its vast and pristine nature, particularly the lush rainforests that covered much of the country. These forests, rich in biodiversity, are home to countless plant and animal species and make Cote d’Ivoire one of the most biodiverse rich countries of the world. The Guinean Forest Zone, which includes the forests in Côte d’Ivoire, is recognized as an international biodiversity hotspot – an area with exceptionally high biodiversity that is also severely threatened by human activities.
However, in recent decades, Côte d’Ivoire has lost as much as 90% of its original forest cover. The main cause of this loss is the ongoing expansion of the agricultural sector, with cocoa farming playing a significant role. The Netherlands is a key player in this, as the world’s largest importer of cocoa beans and the primary trade partner of Côte d’Ivoire in this sector.
Given the strong trade relationship between the Netherlands and Côte d’Ivoire and the impact this has on biodiversity, the LVVN Attaché Network (LAN) Côte d’Ivoire has been working a biodiversity strategy. This initiative explores how the Netherlands can contribute to a more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly future.
Objective of the strategy
The LAN’s main task is to promote international cooperation and trade in agriculture. Within this mandate, nature and biodiversity also play an important role, as a healthy natural environment is essential for resilient and productive food systems. This importance is underscored in the parliamentary letter on international efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality (LNV).
With its biodiversity strategy, the LAN has established a clear framework to structure ongoing biodiversity initiatives and guide future actions. Moving forward, this strategy will help integrate biodiversity into agricultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Côte d'Ivoire.
The State of Biodivesity and its Threats in Côote d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to two of West Africa's largest national parks, Tai and Comoé. The country's interior also contains numerous Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), critical sites for conserving biodiversity that support globally significant species and ecosystems. However, Côte d'Ivoire's biodiversity is under significant threat, with 170 endangered species according to the IUCN Redlist serving as clear evidence of this decline. The main drivers of biodiversity loss include:
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation
• Overexploitation of natural resources (such as forests)
• Pollution
• Climate change
• (Illegal) gold mining
Although logging has contributed to a 34% loss of forest cover, agriculture is now the primary driver of deforestation and habitat loss. Since the 1960s, this has resulted in an overall deforestation rate of 90%. Figures 1 and 2, developed for this strategy, illustrate the severity of deforestation and the vast landscape transformations caused by agricultural expansion.
Country Specific Priorities
To develop an effective biodiversity strategy, it was essential to align it with Côte d'Ivoire’s local priorities. As a starting point for the national biodiversity priorities, we used the country's NBSAP. The NBSAP (National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan) is a national framework designed to protect and sustainably manage biodiversity The LAN works closely with Côte d’Ivoire’s NBSAP coordinators, supporting them alongside Grant Thornton in developing a financial plan for implementation. This warm relationship was used to organize discussions in which we discussed their key focus areas. The priorities identified during these discussions have been incorporated into the Global Biodiversity Framework (represented by the orange points in Figure 3 below). Through these conversations, the main priorities for Côte d'Ivoire were identified as:
- Strengthening conservation efforts, including the establishment of aquatic protected areas
- Achieving the target of 20% forest cover by 2030
- Promoting sustainable development through reduced environmental pollution (mining, agriculture)
Ongoing and foreseen biodiversity activities
As part of its biodiversity strategy, the LAN has mapped ongoing initiatives across three sectors: policy (government), action (businesses and NGOs), and science (universities and research). This analysis provides a clear overview of current efforts and the stakeholders involved and potential collaborations. Dutch initiatives and potential collaboration opportunities are summarized below, aligned with the biodiversity priorities identified by the NBSAP coordinators.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation Efforts – The LAN is exploring opportunities with partners like GIZ, the Wildchimp Foundation, Vogelbescherming Nederland, and SOS-Forest Côte d'Ivoire. EcoShape and Witteveen+Bos have joined the biodiversity network, bringing their expertise in nature-based solutions for coastal protection. Key initiatives, such as the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) program, are being integrated to ensure alignment.
Reforestation Support – Dutch efforts to assist Côte d'Ivoire's reforestation goals include the Benkadi project, an agroforestry pilot led by LAN and ReNature. This year, LAN will focus on raising awareness of the new European anti-deforestation law (EUDR). Opportunities are also being explored with CIFOR-ICRAF, experts from Wageningen University, and NGOs such as Nitidæ and FarmStrong, which promote and research sustainable agriculture and agroforestry. Major programs like the National Afforestation Program and REDD+ will be aligned with future efforts. Additionally, Invest International is already active in Côte d'Ivoire, and further opportunities for investments in agroforestry and coastal protection will be explored.
Pollution – The Dutch HortiNord program in Yamoussoukro is training young farmers to become green entrepreneurs, supporting conservation and reducing pollution through agroecology. The LAN has expanded its network to include CIAPOL (the Ivorian Anti-Pollution Committee) as well as agricultural NGOs such as Nitidæ, Earthworm, and Jeunesse pour l'Environnement, all of which promote environmentally friendly pesticide practices. Dutch companies like Koppert are already collaborating with the LAN in Côte d'Ivoire, providing alternative, sustainable pest control solutions
Opportunities and the way forward
Looking ahead, the LAN will focus on four key areas:
- Institutional Support – Continuing to assist NBSAP coordinators and relevant institutions to ensure biodiversity stays a priority in policy discussions.
- Knowledge Collaboration – Connecting Dutch expertise with local actors in agroforestry, reforestation, and nature-based solutions, while enhancing partnerships through workshops and embassy events.
- Rehabilitation Programs – Promoting biodiversity investments like HortiNord and the agroforestry pilot with reNature, and exploring new opportunities in agroforestry, coastal protection, and landscape restoration, using Dutch funding tools and partners like Invest International.
- Communication & Awareness – Raising awareness and keeping biodiversity on the agenda through platforms like LinkedIn and AgroBerichten Buitenland.
Given its capacity and resources, LAN-ABI positions itself as a key connector within international networks. By linking Dutch biodiversity expertise with the right opportunities in Côte d'Ivoire, supporting sustainable initiatives, and identifying market potential, the LAN aims to contribute to a more sustainable and biodiverse future.
Do you see opportunities for bilateral cooperation on biodiversity? Feel free to contact us at abi-lvvn@minbuza.nl.