About

The deployment of an authoritative East African Herbaria Data Portal, built on Symbiota software will deliver measurable benefits for science and society. The portal will provide a centralized, reliable, and openly accessible repository of more than 2.1 million verified plant specimen records from across East Africa, improving data quality, standardization, and interoperability among research institutions and conservation agencies. By enabling real time data sharing, analysis, and visualization, it will strengthen regional and cross-border collaboration and accelerate botanical research and biodiversity assessments. The portal will support evidence-based conservation planning, and climate adaptation through authoritative species distribution and ecological data, while integrating with global biodiversity infrastructures, promoting standardized workflows, ensuring long-term data preservation, and building institutional capacity through digital tools and training.

Invited Participants
Burundi
University of Burundi

Comoros
University of Comoros

Djibouti
Centre d’Etude et de Recherche de Djibouti

Ethiopia
International Livestock Research Institute
Haramaya University
Alemaya University of Agriculture
Somali Region Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Research Institute
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Bahir Dar Biodiversity Center
Addis Ababa University

Kenya
East African Herbarium
University of Nairobi
Maasai Mara University Herbarium

Rwanda
National Herbarium of Rwanda
Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International

Seychelles
Seychelles National Herbarium

Somalia
University of Hargeisa
East Africa University, Qardho Campus

Tanzania
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Grumeti Fund Tanzania
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Forestry Training Institute, Olmotonyi
University of Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Forestry Research Institute
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sci and Tech
Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority

Uganda
Makerere University
Nyabyeya Forestry College
Kawanda Research Station
Ministry of Natural Resources