
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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Liberalising intra Africa trade in wild meat - A summary
01 Apr 2023
Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA to grow trade in wild meat will be greatly facilitated by identifying and addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that restrict the intra-African wild meat trade. This report evaluates aspects of the AfCFTA NTB mechanism and in particular and considers its appropriateness as a forum of dispute resolution for the barriers identified within the scope of this research.
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We revealed the value of Zambia’s wild yam. Why it matters
29 Mar 2023
Wild harvested crops are a vital source of food in much of the world. Some common wild edible plants in southern Africa include wild mushrooms, such as Termitomyces titanicus, orchids from the genera Disa, Habenaria and Satyrium, and various wild vegetables such as wild spinach (an amaranth), and Cleome species.
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A global mission has finally begun to promote sustainable wildlife use for current and future generations
01 Mar 2023
The Global Biodiversity Framework launched at the Conference of Parties meeting in Montreal in December 2022 provides a global mandate for countries to create partnerships to promote wildlife enterprise that restores rather than converts landscapes to other land uses. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2023 embraces this vision.
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South Africa’s wildlife ranches can offer solutions to Africa’s growing conservation challenges
9 Mar 2023
Designated protected areas for wildlife – such as national parks – are the world’s principal conservation strategy. But this model to conserve wildlife in Africa is increasingly coming under pressure. Changing climates, volatile economies and political systems, conflicting sentiments around wildlife management practices (like trophy hunting) and unpredictable events, such as pandemics, are just some of the threats that undermine conservation efforts.
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Sustainable Wildlife Use as an Area-Based Conservation Measure
22 Feb 2023
Sustainable use has a central role in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at the recent 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15). This includes a section of targets on “Meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing.” Most interestingly, however, is the role of sustainable use in conserving areas.
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Implications of our findings for the wildlife economy
21 Feb 2023
Many conservation researchers and practitioners alike are recognizing the importance of human-wildlife coexistence. But what does coexistence mean and how does it happen? Several definitions have been proposed. I prefer the one by Carter and Linnell where coexistence is when humans and wildlife develop appropriate adaptations to sustainably live together in shared landscapes. One way that humans adapt to living with wildlife is by developing institutions that help manage the relationship between humans and wildlife.
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Food security and conservation in Niger
10 Feb 2023
We are introducing our partner, Sahara Sahel Foods. It is a social enterprise in Niger with the aim of achieving food self-sufficiency through the production and consumption of wild perennial crops in the Saharo-Sahelian region.
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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.
Events
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Growing Africa’s Food Systems using Wild Food Markets
Stellenbosch University or Online -
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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
-Online -
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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 -
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
Join us to promote sustainable and inclusive wildlife economies across Africa
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