
The African Wildlife Economy Institute at Stellenbosch University
A leading academic thinktank in Africa for research, engagement, and learning on wildlife economies
In partnership with Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation
Impactful research to restore African landscapes through wildlife economies
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Delivering nature conservation, climate resilience, improved livelihoods, and community well-being
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Strengthening the enabling environment for sustainable wildlife economies
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Promoting best practice for responsible and inclusive wildlife enterprises
Why
Africa's wildlife is under threat from persistent rural poverty and rising urban prosperity in the face of systemic shortcomings in governance and management. If Africa's wildlife is to be conserved it must be recognised and governed as the unique and valuable asset that it is, and it must be managed for the benefit of Africa's people.
Posts
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Are conservation and sustainable use opposing concepts?
23 Jan 2023
A gap is further widening between debates that were taking place at international platforms recently which are concerning the way forward of conservation and sustainable use concepts.
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Rewilding global biodiversity policy
19 Jan 2023
The use of terms is important in international policy. Words attempt to shape a common understanding of the challenges and responses set out in multilateral agreements. A most interesting outcome of the recent 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) is the return of the term wild – notably in the new Global Biodiversity Framework in which it appears seven times.
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The newly adopted Global Biodiversity Framework supports Africa’s wildlife economy
19 Dec 2022
After many, many months of consultations and negotiations, the 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) has agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). There is much in the GBF which supports the development of the wildlife economy in Africa...
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African Medicinal Plants – Part 2
15 Dec 2022
Expanding the value chain of Kinkeliba is a way to boost economic growth and advance bio-trade revenues in the continent while conserving natural habitats, especially in Senegal, West Africa where there is already a market to supply.
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CBD COP15 calls for mainstreaming the sustainable use of wild species
14 Dec 2022
At the current Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) alongside negotiations on a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, several other important issues are under discussion. This includes a path-breaking decision by COP15 to mainstream the sustainable use of wild species.
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CITES CoP19 increases barriers to African wildlife trade
06 Dec 2022
The recent 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP19) mostly increased or maintained non-tariff barriers to the trade in African wildlife products. A notable exception was to allow Namibia to sell live rhinos to conservation areas elsewhere on the continent. The Summary Records of CoP19 on the outcomes of the Appendices proposals for African species indicate that many African countries continue to support trade barriers over trade liberalisation.
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Is CITES working for African megafauna conservation?
29 Nov 2022
With some fanfare, the 19th CITES CoP ended last week. Many conservationists celebrated the fact the numerous species (including various songbirds, turtles, frogs, and sharks) had achieved new ‘trade protections’ – meaning that they are now subject to additional restrictions on international trade, as per listings on the CITES Appendices. However, unlike the previous (18th) CoP (which saw the Appendix II listing of giraffes), no additional meaningful trade restrictions were placed on any species of African megafauna.
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Sir Bill Wiggin on the UK Trophy Hunting Bill
25 Nov 2022
The UK House of Commons is currently considering a Hunting Trophy (Import Prohibition) Bill. The aim of this bill is to:
At the second reading on Friday, 25 November 2022, Sir Bill Wiggin MP made a thought-provoking comment on the bill.
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Is CITES promoting or destroying the African Wildlife Economy?
23 Nov 2022
CITES COP19 is currently meeting in Panama City to decide on international trade measures for endangered species. The decisions will be in force after 28 days from the last day of the CoP, but who benefits from these decisions and resolution?
So far, all decisions that have been recommended for adoption are against the principle of sustainable use which is the basis for successful wildlife conservation in countries in Southern Africa. -
UNFCCC, CITES, CBD - A comment on siloed approaches
18 Nov 2022
Global leaders, and conservationists are currently convening in different parts of the world through the UNFCCC, CITES, and CBD conventions from all of which key decisions shaping the global conservation and development agenda for the next decade or so, will be made.
The biggest challenge remains to be the conventional sectorial and siloed approaches to the implementation of these policies towards addressing the inter-connected social, environmental, economic, and political challenges. -
African Medicinal Plants – Part I
17 Nov 2022
Combretum micranthum is a species found all throughout its Western region, and endemically in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso. The leaves are widely utilised and known for their very rich internal (antimicrobial, anti-malarial, hepatobiliary activity) and external (cure skin disease such as psoriasis and pimple breakdowns) health benefits.
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CITES Appendices Proposals and Livelihoods
14 Nov 2022
The 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the first to be held since the commencement of trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Hence, it is useful for African Parties to CITES to consider how they might ensure policy coherence for sustainable development (SDG Target 17.14) between CITES and AfCFTA. Further attention to the livelihoods implications of CITES COP19 decisions could be useful. -
CITES COP19 and the Trade in African Wildlife Products
11 Nov 2022
CITES COP19 - the 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - starts on the 14th of November. The African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI) will be following closely the negotiations on measures to enable or inhibit the trade in African wildlife products.
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Underpinning Africa's Case at COP27
31 Oct 2022
The world looks to COP27 to negotiate our future against a ticking clock. With the event taking place on African soil this year, this is a valuable opportunity to gain climate wins for the continent.
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South Africa’s wildlife ranches can offer solutions to Africa’s growing conservation challenges
27 Oct 2022
South Africa’s wildlife ranches can offer solutions to Africa’s growing conservation challenges. Additional conservation models are called for. One such model is wildlife ranching.
Events
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CBD COP15 and the African Wildlife Economy
-Palais des Congrès de Montréal -
CITES COP19 and the African Wildlife Economy
-Panama Convention Center -
The Conservation Symposium 2022
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11th Oppenheimer Research Conference
-Randjesfontein Cricket Pavilion Midrand -
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Building Transformative and Sustainable Wildlife Economies across Africa
-Oxford & Cambridge -
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Publications
Stellenbosch University
AWEI is an academic unit of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The Institute collaborates with faculties and departments across the University and with universities and research institutions across the continent and beyond.
Oppenheimer Generations Research & Conservation
AWEI is partnering with Oppenheimer Generations Research & Conservation to scale up impactful research on wildlife economies across Africa.
Get involved
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