Capacity building has been identified as a priority in several regions and in many international assessments regarding biodiversity conservation. To respond to this need of RAMPAO members and partners, Francis Staub developed a report entitled “Analysis of skills gaps of the actors of the Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa and recommendations.” This document presents comprehensive information on the needs for capacity building and current priorities at the RAMPAO MPA network level, information on the programs and activities of existing capacity building efforts in the region and the relevant successes in this area. It represents a first attempt to strengthen the synergy around this activity by better understanding regional needs in order to harmonize capacity building programs within the sub-region. The work included missions in Senegal.