Yinson Production Angola has teamed up with Otchiva, a local NGO, to support their mangrove restoration efforts in Angola. The programme focuses on mangrove reforestation in the Soyo municipality and clean-up campaigns in the wetlands of Lobito.
The programme first was kicked off in October 2023 with the first mangrove clean-up activity as part of the restoration campaign in Lobito, driven by the Yinson Production Angola team, Otchiva volunteers and sanitation specialists. The campaign will continue for a period of 6 months with a series of clean-up activities and education sessions to raise awareness among local communities on the importance of wetlands and mangroves.
Subsequently on 26 January 2023, in conjunction with the recent World Environmental Education Day in 2024, the Yinson Production Angola team had the privilege of teaming up with joined over 100 enthusiastic local Soyo youths to support Otchiva’s mangrove reforestation efforts. Together, the group has planted a total of 1,053 mangrove trees of varying species, symbolising marking a noteworthy contribution towards the environmental preservation of the local area. The reforested mangroves will be monitored for a period of 6 months by Otchiva.
Mangrove forests are transitional ecosystems between marine and terrestrial environments. They are vital in harbouring diverse local biodiversity, providing a safe nesting site for many species. However, a study indicates that up to 60% of mangroves have been lost in the Gulf of Guinea from Liberia to Angola due to illegal logging, poaching, predatory fishing, water disposals and other human activities. The waves of pollution and disturbance have led to the progressive disappearance of mangrove forests and the species that are dependent on them.
Yinson Angola Local Project Manager, Mr Francesco Leuzzi commented on the campaign, “Yinson is committed to championing environmental conservation and preservation in the areas where we operate. We are proud to partner with Otchiva and support their incredible restoration work on the vulnerable Angolan mangrove ecosystem.”
Otchiva is an Angolan NGO, which started as a small project in 2016 by Fernanda Samuel to save the local flamingo habitat at Lobito. Now, they are leading the charge in conserving and restoring Angola’s wetlands, in particular the mangrove ecosystem, which faces threats from rapid urbanisation and extensive construction demands. Shockingly, studies indicate that 60% of mangrove loss in the Gulf of Guinea is attributed to activities like fuelwood exploitation and coastal development.
Yinson is deeply committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with our CSR mission and objective to create long-term shared value and lasting positive impact on our communities and the environment. Since 2021, Yinson has supported various biodiversity and ecosystem programmes through our CSR functions. Moving forward we will continue to champion environmental conservation and preservation, helping to address climate change and its impacts in the areas where we operate.
