A distinguished academic in the field of wildlife conservation, economics, and finance, Dr Francis Vorhies is the Director and Co-Founder of AWEI and an Extraordinary Professor in the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University. He is also a member of AWEI's Management Committee. As well, Dr Vorhies is a Research Visitor at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WILDCRU) at Oxford University, UK.
His lifelong commitment to sustainable development and conservation in Africa and beyond has seen him take up and develop several innovative initiatives and roles, such as founding Eco-Plus in Johannesburg to provide economic policy inputs to conservation; the first economist to join the African Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi; the first chief economist at the IUCN HQ near Geneva; CEO of the Earthwatch Institute in Oxford; and Academic Director of the African Leadership University's School of Wildlife Conservation in Kigali.
His current research focuses on what is meant by wildlife conservation in the context of international policy and how it can unlock wildlife economy across Africa in support of inclusive sustainable development, climate resilience, and landscape transformation. He has a particular interest in voluntary standards and certification for wildlife products.
Selected Publications
- 2021 - State of the Wildlife Economy in Africa
- 2021 - Discussion Paper on Kenya’s Wildlife Economy
- 2021 - Coastal blue carbon stocks in Tanzania and Mozambique - Support for climate adaptation and mitigation actions
- 2019 - Biodiversity means business: Reframing global biodiversity goals for the private sector
- 2018 - Increasing success and effectiveness of mangrove conservation investments: A guide for project developers, donors and investor
Related content
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Environmental SDGS for Wildlife Ranching in South Africa
Dr Francis VorhiesThis policy brief sets out the linkages of key environmental SDGs to the wildlife ranching industry in South...
2018Briefs -
Wildlife Economy Workshop Report - The contribution of...
2017Resources -
Increase Success and Effectiveness of Mangrove Conservation Investment
Dr Francis VorhiesInvesting in mangroves can result in a number of environmental and social benefits including revenue back to investors...
2018Research -
Realigning Conservation and Development
Dr Francis Vorhies21 Mar 2022
The lockdown of the wildlife economy across Africa has served as a wake-up call for…
Articles -
Discussion Paper on Kenya’s Wildlife Economy
Ms Elizabeth Gitari-Mitaru…Discussion Paper on Kenya’s Wildlife Economy This discussion paper has been prepared to support a national consultation on...
2021Research -
Coastal blue carbon stocks in Tanzania and Mozambique - Support for climate adaptation and mitigation actions
Dr Francis VorhiesThis report presents the status of blue carbon habitats in the understudied Western Indian Ocean. The report provides...
2021Research -
AWEI Comments on the DFFE Draft White Paper on Biodiversity
Dr Francis VorhiesComments on South Africa's Draft White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa's Biodiversity submitted by...
2022Briefs -
In this note, we make preliminary comments on the possible livelihood implications of current and proposed amendments to...
2022Briefs -
Sustainable Wildlife Use as an Area-Based Conservation Measure
Dr Francis Vorhies22 Feb 2023
Sustainable use has a central role in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at the…
Articles -
Changing Tides and Africa’s Blue Economy
Dr Francis Vorhies08 Jun 2023
The theme for this year’s World Oceans Day (8 June) is “Planet Ocean: Tides are…
Articles
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In a complex and changing world, AWEI generates strategic ideas, conducts independent analysis on wildlife economies, and collaborates with global scholar-practitioners to provide training and expertise for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive economic opportunities in Africa.