African Wildlife Foundation

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading international conservation organization focused exclusively on protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild lands.

Mission and Core Approach

• Founded: Established in 1961 during the African independence movement as the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation.
• Headquarters: Located in Nairobi, Kenya, with various field and partner offices across Africa and globally.
• African-Led Conservation: Centers on the principle that conservation must be driven by African leadership, communities, and governments to succeed.
• People and Wildlife: Focuses on solutions where human economic development, education, and livelihoods align with protecting natural ecosystems.

Key Programs and Activities

• Training and Education: Helped establish vital institutions like the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka in Tanzania to train generations of African wildlife managers and park rangers.
• Land and Habitat Protection: Manages and secures priority conservation landscapes across sub-Saharan African countries.
• Sustainable Enterprise: Promotes ecotourism, conservation-based revenue models, and community empowerment to eliminate poverty while preserving biodiversity.