Kinshasa, Gombe commune — Institutional and technical stakeholders from the environmental sector gathered on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in the MITENA hall of the Hôtellerie Saint-Pierre Claver for a presentation session on the activities of the Antwerp Zoo Foundation (AZF). The meeting formed part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation around biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The opening of the session, marked by the national anthem, set the tone for a structured exchange focused on context-setting, information sharing, and stakeholder engagement. The moderator outlined the objectives of the meeting, emphasizing the need to raise awareness of AZF’s presence in the DRC, which remains insufficiently visible to some actors in the sector.
The historical context of relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the city of Antwerp was highlighted, notably through links dating back to the port of Aketi—a key hub for river trade and the movement of species during the colonial era—as well as through a longer-standing legacy tied to the conservation of iconic Congolese species. This perspective helped situate the foundation’s current work within a continuum of cooperation between the two regions.
The meeting revolved around three main objectives: informing participants about AZF’s mission and vision in the DRC, presenting its areas of intervention and ongoing activities, and exploring opportunities for collaboration with other organizations working in conservation.
Participants included Jef Dupain, Director of AZF; Jean-Marie Nyolo Lonema, representing the Presidency as Environmental Advisor; and Professor Valentin Omasombo, AZF Country Coordinator and principal organizer of the workshop. The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) also took part in the discussions.
In his remarks, Jef Dupain emphasized the importance of awareness-raising and the involvement of local communities in conservation initiatives. He stressed that community understanding of projects is a key driver of engagement. He also recalled his experience in the DRC since 1994, particularly in projects related to bonobo conservation.
Continuing, he placed AZF’s current work within a long-term trajectory, reflecting on his early missions in the DRC as a student, when he was sent to the Lomako region to conduct research on bonobos. These field experiences quickly highlighted a fundamental reality: scientific research cannot be separated from species conservation. “To study bonobos, they must continue to exist,” he summarized.
He also noted that at the time, knowledge of bonobos remained limited—even in Kinshasa, where the species was often confused with chimpanzees—requiring significant awareness efforts.
Established in 2019 by the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, the Antwerp Zoo Foundation promotes an integrated conservation approach combining species protection, scientific research, innovative financing mechanisms, and community engagement. The presentations highlighted two emblematic species: the bonobo and the okapi.
The discussions also covered AZF’s areas of intervention in the DRC, particularly around the Lomako-Yokokala Wildlife Reserve in Befale territory, where the pilot project “Bonobo Credit” was presented as an innovative mechanism to valorize community conservation efforts through biodiversity credits.
Speaking on behalf of ICCN, Ms. Chantal Shalukoma discussed the implementation of this mechanism, noting that the “Bonobo Credit” is already operational but still needs further structuring. She emphasized the need for better alignment of contractual frameworks between AZF and ICCN, referring in particular to the 2020–2025 partnership and its achievements, including the habituation of around thirty bonobos despite accessibility challenges.
She also advocated for stronger local benefits, so that communities can tangibly experience the gains from conservation initiatives. Building on these discussions, Professor Valentin Omasombo provided detailed insight into the territorial and operational anchoring of the foundation’s work. He explained that AZF’s interventions are structured around two major landscapes: the Lomako landscape, dedicated to bonobo conservation in the territories of Befale and Bongandanga, and the Rubi-Télé landscape, focused on okapi conservation in Bas-Uélé province.
Elaborating on ongoing activities, he highlighted efforts in Lingunda, where the foundation supports the management of the Lomako-Yokokala Wildlife Reserve through financial, logistical, and technical assistance, as well as capacity building. He also underscored support for the “Mothers Protectors of Bonobos,” including awareness campaigns, sustainable agriculture, livestock farming, and the fight against malnutrition.
In Iyema, efforts focus on habituating bonobos to human presence to support ecotourism development, while in Lisoko, AZF assists communities in developing local land-use plans (PSAT) and implementing the bonobo credit mechanism.
According to him, growing interest from neighboring communities—particularly around Lisoko—led to the organization of a national roundtable on biodiversity credits. Key recommendations included the development of a dedicated roadmap and the expansion of the “bonobo credit” model to other endemic species, as well as across the entire Kivu–Kinshasa green corridor.
In this context, he revealed that AZF has already conducted a feasibility study on the okapi in the Rubi-Télé landscape, paving the way for diversification of the mechanism. The country coordinator also stressed the requirements for enabling the DRC to access international financing linked to biodiversity credits. These mechanisms must align with national priorities, reflect local realities, and meet high-integrity standards to ensure international certification.
The discussions also recalled national policy directions, particularly the Kivu–Kinshasa ecological corridor project mentioned by Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, which aims to strengthen ecological connectivity, climate resilience, and large-scale biodiversity protection.
Throughout the session, speakers expressed a shared commitment to strengthening synergies among conservation actors in the DRC while improving the visibility of ongoing initiatives. The meeting concluded late in the afternoon, marking the end of a session dedicated to presenting, discussing, and contextualizing the Antwerp Zoo Foundation’s actions in the DRC.
By Deo Malela