| Summary: | The global Covid-19 pandemic is one of the major defining moments for development. In Africa, the syndemic, which the Global Landscape Forum refers to as a ‘synergy of epidemics’ impacted the continent. Whilst Covid-19 started as a health crisis, it has cut across all facets of life. The special issue initially aimed on discussing within this multifaceted crisis and drawing the implications for the common natural resources in Africa such as atmospheric commons (climate), land, water, forests, fisheries, pastoralism, urban and knowledge commons whilst also using a gender lens.
The thrust on Covid-19 was later muted as the special issue progressed due to authors not having made a strong linkage with Covid-19 implications for the commons governance. More papers were also anticipated but a number of presenters had presented some materials, which were already being considered for publication elsewhere with some even requiring more time to publish. After the review process, three webinar and paper presenters during the Africa Virtual events were available to provide full papers, which form part of this special issue (Akamani, 2023; Murombedzi and Chikozho, 2023; van Koppen, 2023). The special issue papers neatly links the global themes on gender within the water commons, climatic commons and the co-creation of forestry commons through co-management.
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