The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) is one of the 15 Research and Training Centres / Programmes of the United Nations University (UNU). The aim of the institute is to bridge the gap between science and natural resources management policies in Africa. UNU-INRA’s mandate is to contribute to the sustainable development of Africa’s natural resources in a way that maintains the quality of the natural environment and transforms lives.

The institute’s programme areas focus on the development, management and governance of Africa’s renewable and non-renewable natural resources as well as green economy promotion.  UNU-INRA’s goal is to be a catalyst for knowledge creation and delivery for efficient use of Africa’s natural resources in order to improve livelihoods.

Specifically, UNU-INRA’s objectives include the following:

• Assist African countries and other non-African developing countries to better appreciate and mobilise their natural resources to benefit their people;
• Promote the development of natural resources through knowledge generation, application of scientific knowledge and the development of innovative approaches for productive work;
• Increase the understanding of the socioeconomic and other dimensions of natural resources in the context of self-reliant development;
• Contribute to the strengthening of national and other institutions by building research and consultancy capabilities in Africa and other developing countries with respect to their natural resource endowments;
• Encourage interdisciplinary research and advanced training in the area of natural resources management; and
• Make scientific knowledge available to policy and decision-makers.

The institute operates from its main office in Accra, Ghana and carries out some of its programme activities through a network of Operational Units (OUs) and a College of Research Associates. The OUs consist of multidisciplinary groups of researchers located at selected institutions in five African countries: Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Senegal, and Zambia. Each of these focuses on specific areas of natural resources management.

The institute also runs a competitive Visiting Scholars Programme that provides opportunities for researchers from the continent to undertake high quality research. UNU-INRA also collaborates with other UN agencies, multilateral and bilateral institutions to deal with natural resources challenges facing Africa.

Vision

To be the leading institution in Africa in capacity building for research in natural resources management.

Mission

To empower African universities and research institutions through capacity strengthening.