AFRICA 2009 is a twelve-year capacity building programme launched in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire in 1998. It is rooted in the notion that the problems facing conservation in Africa must be addressed not only through technical solutions, but also through better taking into account the relationship between the immovable cultural heritage and its social, environmental and economic aspects. The aim of the programme is to increase the capacity of national institutions to better manage and conserve immovable heritage places in sub- Saharan Africa by 2009.

The 2008–9 Biennium marks the conclusion of the programme. During this biennium, programme staff will work with partners in Africa to ensure that necessary activities can be sustained in the long-term and that gains made in capacity building and networking continue to be utilized and improved. Efforts will also be made to bring together lessons learned from the programme for use in other ICCROM programmes and activities.

AFRICA 2009 is structured to take advantage of activities at two levels. At the regional level, the Projet Cadre favours reflection and the progressive development of ideas, guarantees continuity within individual activities, and allows for the dissemination of results obtained by the programme. Courses, seminars, research projects, and the improvement of networking are implemented, based on the realization that the best way to treat problems is to work together, share ideas, and develop common frameworks which can be adapted to specific local needs. At the site level, the Projets Situés ensure that AFRICA 2009 is deeply rooted in the realities of the field while responding to specific needs of selected sites in terms of training and implementation of conservation activities.

updated on: 21 November, 2007