The AfriMAB Network was established in October 1996 in Dakar, Senegal. The network was created with the overarching objective of enhancing the capacity of its members to position biosphere reserves as special places for innovation in support of environmental conservation and sustainable development.

AfriMAB members initially came together in the form of parallel Francophone and Anglophone workshops. The first technical workshop of the Francophone network was held in October 1999 at the UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar, while the first AfriMAB workshop for Anglophone countries was organized in September 2000 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi. Focusing on key features of biosphere reserve organization and implementation, these initial technical workshops addressed the following topics:
1-Legislative and regulatory frameworks, 2-Participation of partners and social actors and income sharing, 3-Scientific research and capacity building 4-Transboundary biosphere reserves.

The AfriMAB Technical workshop in 2023 will be the 7th Edition, with the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration in the context of sustainable development: African Biosphere Reserves leading the way towards 2030”

It is expected to bring attract participants including conservationists, Biosphere Reserve managers, Protected Areas Managers, conservation Professionals, experts and academicians in the Conservation field.