A delegation from German technical cooperation, GIZ, visited Côte d'Ivoire's Bossématié reserve on September 28, 2026, to assess conservation efforts and challenges. The reserve, spanning 21,960 hectares, is located in the Indénié-Djuablin region, covering parts of Abengourou and Zaranou. The area features dense semi-deciduous forest and is home to one of the last viable populations of forest elephants in southeastern Côte d'Ivoire.
The GIZ delegation included the Africa director, West Africa director, resident director in Côte d'Ivoire, and project managers from "Gouvernance et gestion durable des ressources naturelles". They met with representatives from the Office ivoirien des parcs et réserves (OIPR), including technical director Colonel Koutoua Benoît Amon. The OIPR has collaborated with GIZ for over 30 years to protect and conserve the reserve.
Colonel Koutoua Benoît Amon reported that the reserve is in good condition, with infiltrations under control and efforts underway to significantly reduce agricultural parcels within the reserve. Priorities include combating poaching, preserving wildlife, and developing income-generating activities for local communities. He emphasized the need to promote ecotourism, leveraging the reserve's rich fauna.
Kirsten Hegener, GIZ's resident director in Côte d'Ivoire, welcomed the progress, attributing it to continued cooperation with OIPR. She highlighted the importance of long-term commitment, stating that results take time to materialize. Hegener also praised the development of a reserve management plan.
On September 29, the GIZ delegation met with private sector actors to discuss their involvement in reserve management and conservation. The talks focused on partnership opportunities, priority needs, and supporting green income-generating activities for local communities.
The visit concluded on September 30, 2026, with a working session with technical and financial partners, including the IDH. Discussions centered on creating the Béki-Bossématié-Diambarakro-Bia ecological corridor, managing the Bia-Bossématié transboundary conservation area, and organizing an OIPR study tour to Ghana.
The cooperation between GIZ and OIPR has yielded positive results, demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term collaboration in conservation efforts. The progress made in protecting the Bossématié reserve highlights the potential for sustainable management of natural resources in Côte d'Ivoire.
Key points
- The Bossématié reserve, spanning 21,960 hectares, is home to one of the last viable populations of forest elephants in southeastern Côte d'Ivoire.
- The GIZ delegation included high-ranking officials, such as the Africa director and resident director in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The cooperation between GIZ and OIPR has been ongoing for over 30 years, focusing on conservation and sustainable management of the reserve.
