The Echinops giganteus Project started when there was no clear procedure on ABS in Cameroon but the French company, V Mane His S.A, was willing to follow this framework to valorize the said genetic resource. Hence, a Pre-PIC was signed in 2012 with the local community of Magha-Bamumbu to enable the research phase to take place. An MoU was later signed in 2014 with the government of Cameroon via the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) on the use of genetic material from the Echinops giganteus roots. A MAT agreement was also signed in 2015 stipulating modalities for the sharing of benefits from the commercialization of Echinops roots.
- ERuDeF launched the Lebialem ABS Initiative pilot project in 2012
- 1st Project component focus on Echinops giganteus in the Bamumbu-Magha community started in 2012
- 2nd project component focus on Mondia whetei in the Lewoh community started in 2014
- Echinops g component was mainstreamed into the sustainable management of the biodiversity of Mt Bamboutos
- The Mondia w project component was mainstreamed into the sustainable management of the biodiversity of Lewoh Hills
- In 2015, UNDP, MINEPDED, and ERuDeF developed the GEF Medium size project from the Lebialem Pilot Project
- In 2017, it was eventually funded by GEF with co-funding from MINEPDED and ERuDeF.