Image for illustrative purposes only. Wikimedia Commons / Emmanuelkwizera
Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage is once again in the global spotlight, with four new sites from the continent up for potential inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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As the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee kicks off in Paris this week, nominations from Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Malawi will be reviewed. If approved, the additions would bring sub-Saharan Africa’s total number of World Heritage Sites to 112—up from 93 in 2018.
It’s part of a broader effort to give Africa the recognition it deserves. “If there’s one form of multilateralism that knows no crisis, it’s heritage,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the opening session. Under her leadership, UNESCO has prioritised African representation, with 15 new sites added across eight countries since 2018.
The World Heritage designation is more than a badge of honour—it plays a crucial role in protecting places of “exceptional cultural and natural value” while promoting sustainable tourism, education, and cross-border collaboration.
UNESCO’s push is not just about numbers, though. The organisation is working with partners to support a new generation of African heritage experts. Since 2021, a mentorship programme has trained 60 heritage professionals—30 women and 30 men—from 46 African countries to help develop nominations and manage sites locally.
Support also extends to the classroom. Universities in Cameroon, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania are now working with UNESCO to offer heritage-focused higher education, ensuring that conservation skills are passed on.
The agency is also embracing technology to support this mission. Its new UNESCO Sites Navigator uses satellite data to help countries monitor risks like fire and flooding, while the interactive Dive into Heritage platform lets people explore sites virtually through 3D modelling and maps.
Africa’s potential four new sites would mark another step towards balancing the scales on the global heritage stage—celebrating the Africa’s history, diversity and natural wonders with the recognition they deserve.
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