Op-ed: Africa needs homegrown conservation philanthropy

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Conservation efforts in Africa have historically been influenced by external donors, frequently neglecting the value of local expertise and leadership. Beatrice Karanja, Founder and Managing Editor of Nature’s Pitch, champions the need for Africa-driven conservation philanthropy. She envisions a future in which funding and partnerships led by African women support nature-based enterprises.

• Karanja stresses the importance of balancing external assistance with local leadership, urging African high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs to co-invest in sustainable and vital projects.

• This model empowers local experts, ensuring that African landscapes are protected by those who understand them best.

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By Beatrice Karanja

Founder and Managing Editor of Nature’s Pitch

(This article was first published on LinkedIn on March 19, 2025)

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?

As an African in conservation philanthropy, I’ve experienced the assumption that philanthropy must come from deep foreign pockets, sidelining those of us deeply invested in solutions. It’s time for a new model that values homegrown philanthropy and sustainable funding mechanisms.

With Nature’s Pitch, I envision a space where African women in science and nature-based enterprises receive co-financed, hybrid funding to thrive. Through partnerships like

Conservation Nation, we’re proving that philanthropy is more than money—it’s networks, mentorship, and shared knowledge.

Shifting conservation funding toward African leadership isn’t about rejecting external support but rebalancing it. Matched funding—where local contributions are reinforced by international donors—would signal confidence in African philanthropy, ensuring funding decisions are co-owned rather than externally dictated.

Philanthropy isn’t a one-way street. African high-net-worth individuals, conservationists, and entrepreneurs can pool resources to sustain critical work. When matched with external support, these contributions create a more equitable and self-sustaining model.

The future of African conservation must be driven by those who understand it best, with external support reinforcing—not replacing—local philanthropic leadership. Philanthropy is not just about wealth; it’s about will.