Hello, and a warm welcome to the first edition of Baobab, a bulletin for those seeking inspiring, insightful and instructive news and views on sustainable development in Africa.

After retiring from an international development agency, I retained my interest in Africa and the ways in which its peoples are bettering their lives and managing their natural resources. With Baobab, my aim is to contribute to the sharing of knowledge and interesting information on issues affecting local people as they seek to

sustainably manage and conserve the continent’s forests, savannahs, wildlife and other natural resources in a manner that maintains their cultural heritage and improves their livelihood.

The world faces an uncertain future redefined by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as many chronic problems associated with poverty, hunger, climate change, biodiversity loss and other diseases and illnesses. In these very unsettling times, I hope Baobab will be a small beacon of light and a useful aid to your reading.