March 21,​ 2025

$96 million conservation boost to Kenya and the Zambezi Basin

March 20, 2025

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) has allocated $96 million for nature conservation in Kenya and the Zambezi Region. This funding is expected to generate $771.5 million in co-financing and promote private-sector involvement in ecosystem restoration, forest rehabilitation, and biodiversity conservation.

  • Kenya will receive $35.66 million, while the Zambezi Basin will receive $60.35 million, excluding additional financing.

  • To date, nearly $300 million has been committed to the programme, with previous endorsements including projects in the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zambia.

  • Our take: There is an increasing commitment to nature-based solutions that balance conservation with economic opportunities across Africa…Read more (2 min)

The conservation sector is thriving, with Kenya and DRC emerging as hotspots for top environmental job opportunities. Home to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and other major environmental organisations, Kenya's rich biodiversity account for the high number of job postings in the country.

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with its vast rainforest, one of the most significant carbon sinks globally, offers unique opportunities for specialists in forestry and biodiversity.

  • Many of the conservation-related positions available in Africa this month focus on communications. This reflects a broader understanding that collaboration and information dissemination are crucial in addressing the continent's environmental challenges.

  • Job Board: Explore conservation opportunities across Africa. Click here to view the latest openings…Read more (2 min)

The Nature Conservancy Africa (TNC) has expanded its team in Africa by adding 62 new employees in the past year, bringing the total to 290. Community and social services now account for 17% of the workforce, with 49 employees, reflecting TNC's focus on community-based conservation strategies.

  • TNC's tagline emphasises their commitment to working with communities to overcome challenges and develop innovative solutions for addressing the urgent climate and biodiversity crises.

  • In addition to its community focus, TNC Africa boasts a finance department that comprises 41 of the total 290 employees, highlighting their interest in conservation finance.

  • Our take: TNC Africa’s community-centred conservation model is well-positioned to play an even more significant role in tackling environmental challenges across the continent…Read more (2 min)

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Penguins, a major tourist attraction at Simonstown, South Africa are at the verge of extinction. A landmark settlement mandates stronger protections for endangered African penguins, ensuring their survival and enforcing South Africa's environmental laws.

Events

🗓️ Register for the Regional Roundtable Africa & Middle East in Morocco (May 6)

🗓️ Attend the Africa Sustainability Forum in South Africa (March 27)

Jobs

🌳 Apply to be a protected areas consultant at Sustainability Institute (Uganda)

👷  Become the country director for Trees for Future(Kenya)

Seen on LinkedIn 

Beatrice Karanja, founder and managing director at Nature's Pitch, says, “For too long, conservation philanthropy in Africa has been shaped by external donors who, while well-intentioned, dictate priorities from afar. But what if Africans were not just beneficiaries but active investors in their own landscapes? What if conservation funding was built from within, led by those who understand the land, culture, and challenges firsthand?.”

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