Exciting insights from the 2024 African Wildlife Economy Colloquium!

The inaugural African Wildlife Economy Colloquium was held from 4-6 November at Stellenbosch University, bringing together experts from across Africa to explore innovative approaches to wildlife conservation and sustainable economic development.

Here are some of the key highlights and areas for further exploration that emerged during the presentations and insightful discussions that took place:

Aligning conservation and economics: Speakers emphasised the need for policies that support both wildlife conservation through sustainable harvesting and trade of wild species.
Innovative financial incentives: We explored how Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) can make wildlife conservation economically competitive with agriculture.
Certification for sustainability: The importance of certification systems in promoting sustainable practices in wildlife economies was a key focus, with examples from wild plant products to game ranches.
Emerging opportunities: Discussions highlighted the potential of game meat markets and the often-overlooked insect trade as part of wildlife economies.
Ethical considerations in wildlife management: The colloquium addressed the complex topic of ethical hunting and its role in conservation, emphasising the need for equitable distribution of benefits.
One Health Approach: Experts stressed the importance of integrating human, animal, and environmental health in sustainable wildlife production.

The colloquium underscored the need for adaptive policies, regional cooperation, and innovative marketing strategies to unlock the full potential of Africa’s wildlife economy while ensuring conservation goals are met.

Abstracts are now available on the AWEI event page. Presentations and recordings will be uploaded soon.