Financing Africa's conservation drive

Despite Africa's low contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the continent remains the most vulnerable to climate change, with seven of the 10 most vulnerable countries located in Africa. In recent years, African nations have expressed their ambitions to develop climate-resilient and low-carbon economies to mitigate the impact of climate change. However, achieving these goals poses significant challenges, particularly in terms of financing conservation efforts. A key figure in the conservation arena, Kaddu Sebunya, the CEO of Africa Wildlife Foundation, highlighted the existing hurdles and potential solutions in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Sebunya emphasized the crucial need for African leadership and engagement in conservation initiatives, underscoring that external support alone has not yielded the desired results. He pointed out that historical reliance on international NGOs and foreign aid has led to a perception among many Africans that conservation is a foreign-driven agenda, detached from their own heritage and economic aspirations. This detachment has contributed to a lack of local ownership and accountability, resulting in the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources and loss of biodiversity. One stark consequence of inadequate financing is the alarming rate of elephant poaching, with 35,000 elephants lost annually and ecosystems on the brink of collapse. Sebunya also shed light on the significant financing gap in conservation efforts across Africa, citing the vast discrepancy between the required and actual funding levels. Protected areas, crucial for preserving biodiversity, seek an average of $1,500 per square kilometer for effective management. However, current spending falls drastically short at less than $150 per square kilometer, leaving a staggering 70% deficit in necessary funding. The situation calls for urgent action from African governments to prioritize conservation as a critical component of sustainable development. Former Kenyan Minister of Tourism, Najib Balala, has also emphasized the urgent need for increased investments in conservation across the continent. Sebunya delved into the underlying reasons why African nations have struggled to allocate sufficient budgets for conservation. He highlighted a predominant focus on traditional economic development priorities, such as infrastructure, agriculture, education, and healthcare, which often overshadow conservation initiatives. The prevailing perception that conservation hinders economic progress has hindered efforts to secure adequate funding for environmental protection. Africa's development model has largely mirrored Western economic paradigms, leading to a misconception that conservation can be deferred until later stages of development, similar to the pathway taken by some Asian countries. However, Sebunya stressed that this approach is flawed, as neglecting conservation jeopardizes long-term economic stability and environmental sustainability. He emphasized the interconnectedness between biodiversity conservation, food security, economic prosperity, and public health, citing the impact of COVID-19 as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental degradation. Building on these insights, Sebunya outlined a visionary model for conservation financing in Africa. He highlighted the Kigali Declaration for Africa, a landmark agreement stemming from a conservation conference that brought together 54 African countries to address the urgent need for sustainable funding mechanisms. This initiative underscores the importance of a Pan-African conservation trust to mobilize resources and support conservation efforts continent-wide. By advocating for a paradigm shift in how conservation is perceived and prioritized, African nations aim to position themselves as active participants in global climate action. Africa's vast natural resources, including the Congo Basin and extensive freshwater reserves, underscore the continent's pivotal role in climate regulation and biodiversity preservation. Sebunya urged the international community to recognize Africa's contributions to carbon sequestration and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for collaborative partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms to propel Africa towards a green economy. By embracing indigenous knowledge, valuing biodiversity, and integrating conservation principles into development strategies, African nations can forge a sustainable path towards climate resilience and shared prosperity.