The Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) is marking 30 years of conservation and community empowerment in Africa. Founded in 1995, it has restored degraded landscapes, grown millions of trees, and supported local livelihoods, establishing itself as a leader in biodiversity protection, community development, and cross-border conservation in the region. What began as a small initiative in the Albertine Rift has grown into a continental conservation voice, blending grassroots action with high-level partnerships. At present, its work spans Albertine Rift region to Africa Great Lakes and Africa Mountains. ALSO READ: PRESS RELEASE: ARCOS Awarded Prestigious Albert Mountain Award for Outstanding Mountain Conservation and Sustainable Development in Africa Efforts “This moment is not just a commemoration of years gone by, but a celebration of a shared journey—one marked by vision, resilience, and collaboration,” said Sam Kanyamibwa, the founder and CEO of ARCOS. “We stand at a critical point in history, where the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss call for bolder, collective action.” Over the past 30 years, ARCOS has delivered measurable and transformative results. The organisation has planted and grown over 13.9 million trees, 60,000 hectares of land are under restoration, and the organisation is empowering 90,000 households. ARCOS’ work has mobilised nearly 3.4 million biodiversity records and created more than 165,000 jobs through nature-based solutions. Today, ARCOS is a community of more than 6,000 members, demonstrating the power of collaborative action across borders and sectors. Partnerships remain at the heart of ARCOS’ success. At the anniversary, Bank of Kigali reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ARCOS’ mission. “As the philanthropic arm of BK Group, we are proud to stand with ARCOS at this historic moment,” said Ingrid Karangwayire, the Executive Director of BK Foundation. “Our mission is to catalyse positive change in Rwanda, and ARCOS’ work exemplifies the kind of measurable, transformative impact we want to support.” ALSO READ: FEATURED: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visits ARCOS’ site to witness a Collective Landscape Restoration for Resilience to Climate Change in Rwanda One of the many who have felt this impact is Sabin Murererehe, the Managing Director of Enterprise Multiservices Ltd, who has partnered with ARCOS since 2020. His enterprise produces tree seedlings, efficient cooking stoves, and other sustainability products. Speaking at the anniversary celebrations in Kigali on September 12, he reflected on what the partnership means. “Since our partnership in 2020, our enterprise has managed to plant more than 10 million trees in our district fields,” he said. “By producing tree seedlings, improved cooking stoves, and innovative business solutions, we aim to make sustainability accessible to communities. Partnering with ARCOS allows us to scale that vision and make an even greater difference.” ALSO READ: Corporate polluters on the spot Financial growth, community empowerment ARCOS’ economic impact has been equally significant. Its nature-based community fund, Umusave, injected $850,000 into grassroots initiatives, enabling communities to finance micro-projects and generate annual savings of $932,589. In 2025, the organisation achieved a milestone with $17 million in annual income, reflecting both the growth of its portfolio and the increasing recognition of its conservation model. Beyond finances, ARCOS has also taken bold steps to scale collaboration across the continent. In 2023, it launched the African NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES), bringing together 32 conservation and development organizations from across Africa to restore biodiversity and integrate nature into economies and livelihoods. Since 2018, ARCOS has hosted the Africa Regional Mountains Forum (ARMF) Secretariat, a platform advocating for sustainable mountain development and building resilience in mountain ecosystems. Today, ARCOS engages over 2,000 “Friends of Nature” Associations, community groups that collectively drive grassroots restoration, particularly among women and youth. ALSO READ: Lack of information sharing threatens environment conservation Education has also been central to ARCOS' work. More than 350 schools and teacher training colleges have integrated environmental education into their programmes, reaching over 140,000 students. The organisation works closely with governments to embed sustainability into national curricula and policies, ensuring the next generation champions climate resilience. Founder’s vision and journey For the Chief Executive Officer, Kanyamibwa, ARCOS’ story is deeply personal. Born into a farming family, his early fascination with traditional medicine, wildlife, and landscapes led him to dedicate his life to conservation. After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Kanyamibwa set aside other talents to pursue a career in environmental protection. “When I went abroad to pursue my studies in conservation, I realised how our region is blessed with beautiful mountains and lakes, home to gorillas and countless other species. It opened my eyes to how unique our ecosystems are, and that is when I decided to create an impactful project like ARCOS to maintain this lifelong connection with nature,” he recalled. Reflecting on ARCOS’ growth, Kanyamibwa noted a shift, stating, “Governments have moved from just signing international conservation agreements to implementing real actions that engage citizens. Individuals now understand the consequences of pollution in their homes and the wider environment, and many are taking action at their level.” Challenges persist As a champion of cross-border environmental conservation, Kanyamibwa recognises that regional peace is essential for effective coordination. Political instability and negative perceptions towards environmental protection remain persisting obstacles. “Nature knows no borders. In my work, I see migratory species that rely on shared resources across Rwanda, DR Congo, and Uganda. Mountain gorillas, for example, traverse national boundaries, making collaborative conservation efforts critical,” he explained. “Regional stability is, therefore, a major challenge. Political tensions can make it extremely difficult to unite stakeholders from different countries in joint initiatives.” Looking ahead As it enters its fourth decade, ARCOS is revising its 2021–2030 strategic plan to align with regional and international commitments, expand its operations, and embrace innovative approaches to conservation. The organisation plans to triple its efforts in the coming years by engaging more communities and strengthening partnerships to ensure sustainable growth. Its impact has already earned international recognition, including the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions in 2012 and the Mountain Albertine Award for outstanding mountain conservation in 2024. ARCOS has also launched the Africa Land Restoration Entrepreneurship Programme (ALEP) in collaboration with the East African Community and AUDA-NEPAD/AFR100. The programme seeks to mobilise governments, NGOs, and the private sector to accelerate landscape restoration across Africa, scaling up grassroots initiatives and mobilising new sources of funding.
