The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has announced plans to significantly boost its conservation efforts in Africa, in response to the urgent crises of climate change and rapid biodiversity loss.
During the inauguration of the organization’s new regional headquarters in Nairobi, Ademola Ajagbe, TNC’s Regional Managing Director for Africa, underscored the importance of the initiative. Alongside expanding office space, the plan involves recruiting additional experts to bolster the continent’s capacity to address the crises effectively.
“Africa boasts rich, iconic, and crucial landscapes that demand conservation for the establishment of a nature-based economy on the continent. From the Congo Basin to the Okavango Delta, we must restore our ecosystems to benefit nature, people, society, and the economy. It is imperative to elevate our efforts by urgently implementing a systemic change to create a better world, and we all have a role to play in this,” emphasized Mr. Ajagbe.
Peninah Malonza, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, The Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) & Regional Development, praised TNC for its pivotal role in driving conservation efforts in the country and across the continent. She commended TNC for its active contributions, both technically and financially, to vital initiatives such as increasing forest cover, restoring degraded ecosystems, and promoting community coexistence with nature. Malonza expressed anticipation for continued collaboration to safeguard natural resources.
James Mworia, Chairman of TNC’s Africa Council, stressed that conservation is a collective responsibility and urged private sector entities to actively participate, setting an example for other African countries.
Currently, TNC boasts a dedicated team of over 150 conservation experts working across Africa. In addition to its initiatives in Kenya, TNC is actively engaged in ongoing projects in Tanzania, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. The organization also collaborates with partners in Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, covering various ecosystems, including oceans, land, lakes and wetlands, river systems, and climate adaptation and mitigation.
As TNC takes significant steps to amplify its impact, the organization is poised to make a lasting difference in preserving Africa’s diverse and critical landscapes, contributing to the global fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.