Mozambique, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Cameroon Celebrate New UNESCO World Heritage Listings
Four African countries – Mozambique, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon – are among the latest additions to the UNESCO World Heritage List, with newly inscribed sites recognised for their cultural and natural significance at the 2025 World Heritage Committee meeting. Of the 26 new properties inscribed globally this year, these four African nations secured designations that highlight both regional heritage values and expanding conservation efforts.
Mozambique’s Maputo National Park was added as a transboundary extension to South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, enhancing one of Africa’s most biologically rich coastal ecosystems. Malawi’s Mount Mulanje, revered by local communities for its spiritual significance, was declared a cultural landscape. Sierra Leone’s Gola-Tiwai Complex, including critical rainforest and island habitats, gained recognition for its high biodiversity and conservation value. Cameroon’s Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape in the Mandara Mountains was acknowledged for its archaeological heritage, showcasing centuries-old structures and enduring cultural practices. These listings are expected to strengthen community-based tourism, conservation finance, and international visibility across the region.
Source: UNESCO