Our Organisation
About WAEN
Championing sustainable ecotourism and conservation across West Africa's 16 nations.
Who We Are
The West African Eco Tourism Network
WAEN is an initiative of the West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO), established to promote, coordinate and advocate for responsible ecotourism across West Africa. We bring together governments, NGOs, tour operators, communities and conservation scientists under one network.
Our work spans eco-destination promotion, capacity building for communities, conservation project support, and connecting regional stakeholders with international ecotourism markets.
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Our Mission
To promote sustainable ecotourism across West Africa by connecting destinations, conservation projects and communities with responsible travellers and investors.
Our Vision
A West Africa where ecotourism drives biodiversity conservation, empowers local communities and positions the region as a premier sustainable tourism destination.
Our Values
Sustainability, community inclusion, biodiversity respect, transparency and regional solidarity guide everything we do at WAEN.
Leadership
Executive Council
Dr. Kwame Asante
Executive Secretary
Mme. Aïssatou Baldé
Deputy Secretary
Mr. Emmanuel Okafor
Director, Conservation
Dr. Isatou Jallow
Director, Tourism Dev.
M. Souleymane Traoré
Director, Partnerships
Mrs. Naomi Boateng
Director, Communications
Regional Network
Country Coordinators
Our national coordinators champion ecotourism in each West African member state.
Chukwuemeka Obi
Nigeria
Fatou Diallo
Senegal
Abena Mensah
Ghana
Lamine Kouyaté
Guinea
Mariama Baldé
Guinea-Bissau
Ibrahim Koné
Mali
Adjoa Akoto
Togo
Victor Kpeli
Benin
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