Strengthening biodiversity ties between Senegal and the Netherlands
Senegal and the Netherlands may seem very different, but they share a strong ecological connection—from shared delta landscapes to migrating birds that link both countries. This article explores how biodiversity crosses borders and creates opportunities for cooperation. How can we use this natural connection for a sustainable future?
Despite their differences in climate and geography, Senegal and the Netherlands share striking similarities. Both countries are shaped by low-lying deltas, vast wetlands, and long coastlines—landscapes that play a crucial role in connecting biodiversity between the two nations. A clear example of this is bird migration. Species like the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa, or "grutto" in Dutch) and the Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis, or "grote stern") spend their winters in Senegal or use it as a vital stopover along their migration routes. While these birds spend a large part of their lives in Senegal, the Netherlands invests significant efforts in their protection. This connection highlights the global nature of biodiversity and the need for international cooperation in conservation.
Biodiversity is not only transboundary but also trans sectoral, shaping a wide range of industries and essential systems. Biodiversity is essential for agriculture, climate resilience, and global food security, but its influence extends even further—to fisheries, water management, tourism, and public health. The World Economic Forum estimates that over half of the world’s GDP—around €40 trillion—depends on nature. Migratory species like the Black-tailed Godwit are a clear reminder that biodiversity is not confined by borders; it is a shared responsibility.
Recognizing this strong ecological link between the Netherlands and Senegal, the LVVN Attaché Network (LAN) in Senegal has been developing a biodiversity strategy. This initiative aims to explore 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, along with the goal of integrating biodiversity into Dutch foreign agricultural efforts 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 cooperation between the Netherlands and Senegal
The state of biodiversity and its threats in Senegal
Senegal is situated along the East Atlantic migration route, making it a crucial stopover for countless migratory species. Birds and other wildlife rely on its coastal areas, wetlands, and estuaries to rest and feed during their long journeys. This is why most of the country’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are found along the coast. These areas provide essential habitats for endangered, endemic, and migratory species, recognized by IUCN and BirdLife International.
But Senegal’s rich biodiversity isn’t just along the coast. Deep in the southwest lies Niokolo-Koba National Park, one of the best-preserved wild areas in West Africa. It is home to an incredible range of species, including one of the last remaining populations of the West African lion.
Despite its rich natural heritage, Senegal’s biodiversity—including species like the Black-tailed Godwit—is under serious threat. The IUCN Red List counts 95 endangered species in the country, with many of them found in aquatic habitats—coastal waters, open ocean, and mangrove forests. The biggest threats to biodiversity include:
• Overexploitation of natural resources (mainly overfishing)
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation (agricultural expansion)
• Pollution (mining and pesticide use)
• Climate change
Country specific priorities
To develop an effective biodiversity strategy, it was essential to align biodiversity efforts with Senegal’s local priorities. As a starting point for the national biodiversity priorities, the LAN 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 Senegal’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 the coordinators 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 4 below). Through these conversations, the main priorities for Senegal were identified as:
- Enhance scientific and technical capacity of stakeholders
- Integrate of biodiversity conservation into national and Agri development
- Integrating biodiversity preservation and climate resilience efforts
- Securing recourses for NBSAP implementation
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 potential collaborations. Dutch initiatives and potential collaboration opportunities are summarized below, aligned with the biodiversity priorities identified by the NBSAP coordinators.
Scientific and Technical capacity – The Netherlands has a strong knowledge base in biodiversity research, and many Dutch organizations are already active in Senegal. Research institutes like Altenburg & Wymenga, BirdEyes (part of the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), and DALI (Kenniscentrum Akkervogels) are involved in bird monitoring and ecological studies. These organizations work closely with Université Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis, where they give guest lectures, support the ornithology program, and facilitate student exchanges to the Netherlands for further training.
Integration of biodiversity in development – Dutch efforts to integrate biodiversity into agricultural development include the HortiCote program, which connects Dutch and Senegalese entrepreneurs to improve the horticulture sector while exploring agroecological farming methods. The program is led by RVO, with involvement from Dutch companies such as Salt Doctors and Koppert.
Over the past year, LAN has also added new partners to its biodiversity network, including IUCN West Africa and Biodiversity International-CIAT. With these partners potential collaborations have been discussed to promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices in Senegal.
Integration of biodiversity in climate resilience – The LAN will look for opportunities to integrate biodiversity into climate adaptation by collaborating with key actors in the Great Green Wall initiative while also strengthening coastal protection efforts in Senegal. Dutch expertise plays a crucial role in these efforts. Deltares has led research on coastal protection, while EcoShape and Witteveen + Bos have joined the biodiversity network, bringing their knowledge to coastal resilience and nature bases solutions projects. Additionally, alignment of Dutch expertise with programs like the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) initiative will be explored to further enhance climate resilience in Senegal’s coastal regions.
Securing financial resources – LAN is working with Grant Thornton to support NBSAP coordinators to understand the needs in developing the National Biodiversity Finance Plan. In addition, Invest International is active in Senegal, investing in coastal protection projects. Moving forward, opportunities for funding biodiversity-friendly initiatives, such as agroforestry and coastal restoration, will be further explored.
Looking ahead, the LAN will focus its biodiversity efforts 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 – Continuing biodiversity investments in projects like HortiCote, 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 Senegal, 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.
Report written by Tristan Rovan.