Nature-based solutions are gaining traction in national policy; however, many local governments across Africa still face significant barriers to implementing them. While cities are responsible for critical decisions regarding land use, infrastructure and service delivery, they often lack the mandates, resources, and institutional capacity and coordination needed to integrate nature into their governance systems and across sectors and levels of government. Strengthening local governance – through policy reform, institutional capacity and cross-sector collaboration – is essential to create the conditions that allow NbS to deliver their full benefit where they are needed most: in cities and communities.

The UNA project worked directly with local practitioners, communities and government stakeholders to improve the governance systems shaping urban development. Through targeted support for policy reform, mandate alignment and institutional coordination, the project helped cities address disconnections between departments, sectors, and levels of government, mainstream nature into decision-making and policy reform and better link local actions with national and global agendas. By investing in governance that centres both people and ecosystems, the UNA project helped lay the foundation for more inclusive, climate-resilient urban futures.