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The ANCA Nature Executive Fellowship graduates its first cohort
As written by Josh Ayers, Associate member of ANCA secretariat & Senior Research Impact Fellow in The Nature & Climate Impact Team at the University of Exeter
Moving together with purpose and collective strength, a new pride of business leaders has emerged from the continent’s first Nature Executive Fellowship. Through the power of knowledge, collaboration, and visionary leadership, these 23 executives from 13 African nations have come together to forge a new path for the continent’s natural capital. The ANCA Nature Executive Fellowship has just concluded its inaugural programme, and like the first rains that signal the great migration, this marks the beginning of a transformative movement in Africa’s journey toward sustainable, nature-positive development.
A Bold Vision Takes Flight
The ANCA Nature Executive Fellowship is a groundbreaking initiative designed to build a cohort of 100 African nature finance change-makers over five years. As Dorothy Maseke, Head of ANCA Secretariat, explains, the fellowship addresses a critical challenge:
“Africa faces limited market-driven investment in nature-based solutions, constrained by lack of technical expertise, poor access to reliable data, institutional barriers, and difficulty integrating nature into business models.”
This pioneering program, delivered in partnership with the African Leadership University School of Wildlife Conservation and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, has set out to catalyse nature-positive investment across Africa by equipping executives with the skills, networks, and tools to lead biodiversity finance initiatives.
The inaugural cohort of 23 fellows, representing 13 African countries, embarked on a transformative year-long journey structured across three immersive modules. From the shores of Mauritius to the historic halls of Oxford, and finally to the wildlife-rich landscapes of Kenya, these leaders experienced a 360-degree education in nature finance.
“After a week filled with immersive learning, hands-on experiences, and collaborative innovation, we proudly celebrate the successful completion of the first cohort,” the ANCA team announced. The fellowship provided fellows with world-class education, focusing on resilience, development, and the strategic role of natural capital in sustainable economies.
Meet the Changemakers
The diversity and calibre of the fellows reflects Africa’s rich tapestry of talent and expertise:
- From Zambia, Nicholas Kabaso, CEO of the Lusaka Securities Exchange, brings extensive experience in banking and capital markets across several African markets.
- From South Africa, multiple leaders emerged including Alessandro Michele Scalco from Rand Merchant Bank, specializing in sustainable finance; Diederick Ferrandi from Natural Heritageand Samir Randera-Rees from WWF South Africa, overseeing conservation projects and corporate engagements.
- From Ethiopia, Melat Mengesha Hailemelekot of Meridiam focuses on sustainable infrastructure projects that generate economic value while promoting environmental stewardship.
- From Kenya, a strong contingent included Anthony Munene Murage from ICEA LION Insurance, Mburu Hezekiah Macharia from Kenbright Actuarial & Financial Services, Eric Genson Kaburu Naivasha leading Sustainable Finance at KCB Group, Cecilia Bjerborn Murai from FSD Africa, Brenda Reson Sapuro founding the Enyuatta EcoJustice Centre, Kipkorir Koskei from the Insurance Development Forum, Stephen Macharia from FSD Africa Investments and Beatrice W Karanja founding Natural State.
- From Madagascar, Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy brought her expertise as a passionate advocate for small-scale fishers and coastal governance.
- From Zimbabwe, Phillip Tapera Kuvawoga, Senior Director of Conservation at IFAW, contributed his 18+ years of experience in landscape conservation.
- From Tanzania, Hellen Dalali heading Sustainability at Equity Bank Tanzania, and Sarah Scott, driving the development of nature restoration projects at Kijani Pamoja.
Still others included Atna Mutago Chituti from the Development bank of Namibia, Dipeeka Ramgolam from Mauritius Commercial Bank, Adeleke Gbenga Sheriff from Access Bank Nigeria and Astou Diagne of BlackRock from Senegal.
Learning from Global Excellence
The Oxford module provided particularly transformative experiences. As one participant noted, “We are empowering leaders to advance and apply their knowledge in nature finance.” The fellows engaged with world-class experts including Dr. Nicola Stevens on “Battling biodiversity threats: An African climate change perspective,” Tom Harwood on “The Hidden Wealth of Ecosystems,” and Professor Nathalie Seddon on “Nature-based Solutions.”
A special highlight was the field visit to Wytham Woods, where fellows experienced ecosystems in action, translating theory into practical knowledge. The programme also welcomed UK Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis OBE, bringing invaluable insights to the discussions.
Innovation in Action: Project Pitches That Could Transform Africa
As Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, powerfully states:
“Africa, we really need to change our mindset. Access to aid, we can begin to think of it as a thing of the past. We have to focus on two things: attracting investment and mobilising our domestic resources.” The urgency of this work cannot be overstated. As noted in ANCA’s vision, “Africa is estimated to lose $195 billion in natural capital annually, driven by unsustainable land use, ecosystem degradation, and insufficient investment in nature-based solutions.”
Yet, the continent holds immense untapped potential. Africa’s High Net Worth Individuals control an estimated $2.5 trillion in liquid and investable funds—roughly equal to the total assets held by African banks, pension funds, insurance firms, and sovereign wealth funds combined. Over the next decade, the number of African millionaires is projected to increase by 65%, reaching over 223,000 individuals. To begin priming the pump with projects fit for funding, the Nature Executive Fellowship culminated in project pitches that showcased the potential for transformative change across the continent.
Africa’s nature represents one of the most underappreciated investment opportunities of our time. The continent is home to over 30 percent of the world’s biodiversity and vast natural ecosystems that underpin key sectors such as agriculture, energy, tourism, and water. These ecosystems provide essential services, from carbon sequestration and water regulation to pollination and soil fertility, yet remain critically undervalued and underfunded. As the world shifts toward sustainability and nature-positive transitions, Africa offers a frontier market where investment in nature can generate measurable environmental impact alongside long-term financial returns. With rising interest in biodiversity credits, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions, there is a growing case for mobilising capital into Africa’s natural capital as a strategic asset class that supports climate resilience, food security, and inclusive economic growth. To begin priming the pump with projects fit for funding or scaling, the Nature Executive Fellowship culminated in project pitches that showcased the potential for transformative change across the continent.
While respecting confidentiality, here are glimpses of the innovative solutions proposed:
- A biopension platform for financing nature projects through an innovative crowdsourcing model by accessing a small percentage of new pension money annually
- A nature fund targeting sustainable urbanization, food systems innovation, and carbon removal technologies, with a pipeline of $150 million
- An AI-powered platform bridging the data gap in environmental project design and monitoring
- Wildlife corridor protection initiatives combining biodiversity credits with carbon projects
- Mangrove restoration projects addressing coastal erosion while creating jobs
- Insurance innovations for human-wildlife conflict, potentially revolutionizing conservation finance across multiple countries
- Green trust evolution models transforming traditional conservation funding into investment-ready pipelines
The Journey Continues
Samir Randera-Rees, reflecting on his fellowship experience, captured the essence of what makes this program transformative:
“I’ve just completed the final in-person session… and I’m filled with both pride and purpose. What a journey it has been… This fellowship may have ended, but the real work is just beginning.”
His words echo the sentiment of all fellows who are now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and networks to drive positive change in nature-based solutions across Africa’s natural capital landscape.
Your Opportunity to Join the Movement
As Philip Osano, COO at CIFOR-ICRAF, noted at the graduation ceremony, these fellows mark
“the start of the next chapter for these leaders, who are now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and networks to drive positive change in the field of nature-based solutions across Africa.”
The success of this inaugural cohort paves the way for future leaders. Applications for the next cohort of the ANCA Nature Executive Fellowship will be launching soon. This is your opportunity to join this transformative fellowship and become part of Africa’s nature finance revolution.
Whether you’re an investor looking to redirect capital toward nature-positive outcomes, a project developer seeking to scale innovative solutions, or an executive ready to lead your organization’s sustainability transformation, the time to act is now.
Africa’s natural capital is not just an environmental imperative—it’s the foundation of the continent’s economic future. Through initiatives like the ANCA Nature Executive Fellowship we’re building the infrastructure, knowledge, and networks needed to unlock this potential. If you would like to connect with any of the Fellow or explore opportunities to partner with or support their projects, please reply to this email or contact us atinfo@africannaturalcapitalalliance.com.
Stay tuned for announcements about the next cohort application window. Together, we can build resilient, nature-positive economies across Africa, ensuring that the continent’s extraordinary natural wealth benefits its people for generations to come.
The journey toward a sustainable, prosperous Africa has begun. Will you be part of writing the next chapter?
The Nature & Climate Impact Team at the University of Exeter are Knowledge Partners to ANCA
