ABN's partners work at a grass roots level in 12 African countries, always informed and led by local knowledge and solutions. The ABN was first conceived in 1996, in response to growing concern about threatened biodiversity and community livelihood in Africa — mainly due to the effects industrial commodification — and the need to develop strong African positions and legislation, as well as African led solutions, to protect Africa's heritage. By 2002 it was formalised in name and structure.

The ABN provides an overall structure to facilitate research and the flow of information, experiential learning through workshops and exchanges, training support for community initiatives and to catalyse wider actions, as well as developing collective advocacy strategies. ABN encourages and supports partners to innovate and pilot new strategies and processes which emerge from and with communities.

The ABN secretariat is based in Kenya.