Fungal biodiversity plays a pivotal role in ecosystem services. Yet, in West Africa, the study and preservation of fungal species to sustain ecological and taxonomic investigations are constrained by limited infrastructure and fragmented collections. Here, we present the Mycological Herbarium of the University of Parakou (UNIPAR) as a hub for West African fungal diversity, conservation, and research. Managed by the Tropical Mycology and Plant-Soil Fungi Interactions Research Unit (MyTIPS), UNIPAR houses over 6,000 fungal specimens, predominantly from West Africa, and serves as a critical resource for scientists. Until 2023, 28 holotypes were deposited at UNIPAR and around 78 new species were described across 25 genera, with Amanita, Cantharellus, Cercospora, Lactifluus, and Tomentella being the most represented genera. These findings underscore the herbarium's central role in advancing mycological research on African continent. Moreover, the study emphasizes the need to centralize private fungal collections within UNIPAR to ensure proper preservation, long-term management, and accessibility to the broader scientific community. We are quite convinced that this initiative will strengthen collaboration, increase access to mycological resources, and enhance fungal biodiversity studies in tropical Africa.