AWEI Articles
Welcome to AWEI short articles —your gateway to insightful, accessible content exploring wildlife economies across Africa.
Our articles are designed to inform, engage, and inspire readers interested in the sustainable use of wild species, wildlife enterprise, community development, and policy innovations that shape the wildlife economy. Explore diverse perspectives, practical examples, case studies, and the latest trends influencing how responsible wildlife use contributes to conservation and development
The latest
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Foraging of wild plants to sustain human values and value chains
Mallika SardeshpandeForaging is the act of gathering wild resources, often food, that many humans engage in, either occasionally or…
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World Ocean Day: Benefiting from Africa’s Marine Protected Areas
Dr Francis VorhiesHow do African marine protected areas benefit people, not just wildlife? Inside South Africa's 40+ MPAs — tourism…
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Learning from !Khwa ttu: Reimagining the wildlife economy through indigenous knowledge
Ms Lydia Daring Bhebe…On Saturday, 11 April 2026, a group of African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI) team members visited !Khwa ttu…
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More articles on Africa’s wildlife economy. AWEI's concise articles offer stakeholders in Africa's biodiversity economy sector and the general public reliable information, analysis, and recommendations.
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From the wild to the bathroom cabinet: Africa's biodiversity entrepreneurs
Africa is home to a remarkable array of wild-harvested African cosmetic ingredients – from baobab and marula oils to frankincense resins and shea butter – that are quietly making their way into...
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Towards transformative wildlife economies
In April, I attended the 72nd General Assembly (GA) of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in Vienna, where discussions focused on the future of wildlife use...
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The role of mopane worms and termites in alleviating poverty in rural South Africa
South Africa’s Limpopo province borders Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. It is one of the poorest provinces in the country. This is due to a combination of historical underdevelopment, a high...
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Young professionals working in conservation: The Business of Conservation Conference 2026
I recently had the opportunity to speak at the BCC as part of a panel of young professionals working in conservation. What stood out most was the energy in the room – the audience was deeply engaged...
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Beyond the trade-off: Biodiversity, health, and human rights
Conservation and human rights are not in opposition. This article argues that biodiversity, health, and human rights are inseparable and examines how biodiversity governance can uphold health, the...
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Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant 2026
The Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant opens its 2026 call for applications, offering USD 150,000 to support early-career African conservation researchers.