Kenya has enhanced its commitment to strengthen the fight against human-nature conflict by allocating land in Nairobi where a global monitoring centre will be established.

The new facility will be the headquarters of Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LAFT) and will host a Regional Command and Control Centre and a Digital Public Infrastructure hub, using advanced technology to combat human-wildlife conflict and cross-border environmental crimes.

The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, during a side event at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan. Themed “Command and Control Center and Digital Public Infrastructure Addressing Human-Nature Conflicts in Africa”, the event brought together African leaders, Japanese partners, and international stakeholders.

“Kenya has allocated land in Nairobi to host LATF’s permanent headquarters,” Miano declared. “This is a tangible demonstration of Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation and reflects our dedication to this important initiative.”

Miano underscored the growing pressures facing African communities, including habitat loss, climate shocks, and resource competition. Human-wildlife conflict, cross-border poaching, and wildlife trafficking remain persistent threats that no single nation can combat alone.

“The Regional Command and Control Centre will be a critical lynchpin in our continental information hub,” she noted. “It will enable joint operations, intelligence sharing, and the signalling of early warnings. This is markedly significant in countering human-nature conflict and cross-border environmental crimes.”

Kenya has already embraced digital transformation in conservation, deploying tools such as GPS wildlife tracking, drone monitoring, and digitized human-wildlife conflict reporting.

The country’s National Command and Control Centre integrates data from conservancies, protected areas, and enforcement agencies, enhancing early warning and rapid response capabilities.

“Our national strategy aligns perfectly with the regional infrastructure LATF is developing,” Miano said, adding that Kenya views technology-driven solutions as “vitally critical” in safeguarding Africa’s biodiversity.

She highlighted the success of the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System, developed in collaboration with LATF, as proof that digital platforms can close enforcement gaps and strengthen cross-border cooperation.

Miano stressed that Africa’s DPI must serve not only governments and agencies but also local communities, ensuring participation and fair benefit-sharing from natural resources.

“DPI must foster inclusivity and brotherhood in a space of shared interests,” she emphasized. “It must enable community participation and ensure that nature’s treasure trove benefits all.”

Miano linked the initiative to the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy and Kenya’s Digital Superhighway agenda, spearheaded by President William Ruto, which seeks to drive innovation, inclusive growth, and environmental resilience through digital infrastructure.

“Together, we can co-create a prosperous future,” she said. “Kenya stands ready to work hand in hand with our neighbours, regional institutions, and global partners to realise this grand vision,” she said.