Awesome Story
The innovative and accredited African Leadership University (ALU) aims to develop three million ethical and entrepreneurial leaders for Africa and the world by 2035. The ALU School of Wildlife Conservation is key to these powerful objectives.
In 2016, ALU School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC), was established to expose as many future African leaders as possible to the conservation potential of the African continent, create the next generation of entrepreneurial African conservation leaders, and to influence decision-and-policy makers.
SOWC | School of Wildlife Conservation
Focused on the “business of conservation”, SOWC hones in on:
- Creating and maintaining economic incentives for the sustainable utilisation of wild resources
- Creating and maintaining economic incentives for the sustainable utilisation of wild resources
- Creating and maintaining economic incentives for the sustainable utilisation of wild resources
- Creating and maintaining economic incentives for the sustainable utilisation of wild resources
Research is a cornerstone: in essence the gathering of data and information to illustrate the untapped potential of Africa’s Wildlife Economy. The initial detail was pulled together in a report on the State of the Wildlife Economy in Africa. Subsequent research is focused on the value, opportunities and challenges of this multi-layered economy within specific African countries.
Other key research projects include a Roadmap for Africa’s Wildlife Economy, a project on the opportunity costs of various land uses and the development of a Wildlife Economy Investment Index (WEII), to encourage and increase investment in Africa’s Wildlife Economy.
This new thought leadership promises to shape resilient and sustainable solutions for protected areas in the face of burgeoning populations and shrinking resources
Dr Sue Snyman
Director of Research at the ALU’s School of Wildlife Conservation, Dr Sue Snyman is currently channelling her passion for the natural world and beyond by looking at the wildlife economy across Africa.
Investigating ways to unlock its potential in different countries, she uses policy-and practice-relevant research to support her findings and decision-making. Her overall research focuses on promoting sustainable, diversified wildlife economies in Africa and encouraging investment in conservation and the related wildlife economy activities.
Previously, Dr Snyman worked as the Group Sustainability Manager for Wilderness Safaris, a private sector ecotourism operator. She is vice-chair of the IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist (TAPAS) Group and coordinator of the Communities and Heritage Working Group within TAPAS. She also recently managed the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme for IUCN in 24 African countries.
The resilience of conservation is compromised when we rely on a single activity, like tourism, to drive economic benefits for communities and governments.
In 2022, the first &Beyond WILDeconomy Masterclass itinerary, in partnership with ALU, and hosted by Dr Sue Snyman, took place against the backdrop of the iconic Serengeti and Masai Mara reserves.
The vision behind the development of this interactive small group journey was for a diverse group of individuals from different countries, cultures and backgrounds, to participate in an immersive learning experience, with the aim of creating ambassadors for Africa’s wildlife economy.
For over 30 years, the &Beyond business model has been premised on the understanding that for conservation to be successful and sustainable, it has to benefit the communities that surround Africa’s wildlife reserves. As we move into our next decade of scaled impact, conservation-driven coalitions such as this will stimulate fresh perspectives and inspire sustainable shared-value opportunities for rural communities.
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