New large-scale conservation funding model takes shape

November 23, 2025

Dear subscriber, 

Many conservationists and animal lovers delight in spotting rare creatures. We take a similar approach when it comes to conservation funding. We’re thrilled every time we see a new trend in attracting money to conservation projects. Hopefully others will follow..

Treezer Michelle Atieno - Editor

Gabon has partnered with international donors to launch the Gabon Infini Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative. This is a decade-long conservation financing plan to safeguard 34,000 km² of the Congo Basin rainforests while promoting a nature-based economy. This is the second such deal in Africa, after Kenya.

  • The initiative is funded by $94 million from donors, including the Global Environment Facility and the Bezos Earth Fund, with $86 million of government funding in conservation and community development investments over ten years.

  • Unlike traditional grants, the PFP model commits funds over a decade or more and only releases funds if legally binding conservation action is met. This can be the change or implementation of policies and more.

  • Our take: PFPs thrive in areas with strong political support and prior experience in managing large scale conservation funds…Read more (2 min)

We spotted over 30 conservation roles across Africa in November. More than half of the jobs are programme management positions which presumably means that organisations are strengthening delivery capacity for programmes. AWF, WWF and other organisations are looking for Programmes Managers in different regions.

  • Eastern Africa has 21 roles, Southern Africa 5, Western Africa 3 and Central Africa one role.

  • Kenya leads with a concentration of management and technical roles while Southern Africa seems to prioritise protected-area leadership.

  • Click to find the full list…Read more (2 min)

OroraTech and the Earth Fire Alliance have partnered to expand access to satellite-based wildfire intelligence in Africa. The collaboration unites their thermal detection and monitoring systems to make real-time fire data available to regions that have traditionally lacked the tools needed to respond quickly to emerging fires.

  • Early services will prioritise fire management in conservation areas, including Kruger National Park in South Africa. 

  • The agreement will extend to other protected areas like Etosha National Park in Namibia which recently experienced wildfires that killed at least nine antelopes and threatened the critically endangered black rhinos and other wildlife.

  • Our take: Wildfires are more frequent due to climate change making access to real-time intelligence essential…Read more (2 min)

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(Source: WCS)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the World Conservation Society seek international protection for the endangered okapi species

Events

🗓️ Join the Conference on Sustainable Agriculture in Tanzania (November 25)

🗓️ Be at the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly in Kenya (Dec 8)

🗓️ Attend the Conference on Biodiversity Conservation in Kenya (Dec 16)

Various 

🌳 New GPS tracking reveals African vulture migration to Europe

🌳 Almost $1 million in rhino horn taken off the illegal market

🌳 Deforestation puts 122 million West Africans at risk of water insecurity

Seen on LinkedIn 

Andre Da Silva, a Conservation Expert, says, “Clean energy is driving deforestation. New research from Zambia reveals that rural families are cutting down forests to pay for solar panels. Over one million small solar systems have been sold in rural Zambia since 2018. But because these systems aren’t subsidized, households must make monthly payments over 1 to 3 years. Miss one payment, and the system locks. For many forest-adjacent communities with no formal income, the only way to generate cash is by extracting from “nature’s bank”: charcoal, timber, honey, forest products.”_________________