Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, joins Salzburg Global President & CEO Martin Weiss to challenge how the world thinks about conservation. For decades, global efforts have focused on protecting wildlife from people — but Kaddu argues that the future of conservation depends on putting people at the centre.

In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Kaddu shares how African-led, people-centred approaches are transforming communities, driving economic opportunity, and redefining the global sustainability agenda. From mountain gorillas in Rwanda to youth movements across the continent, he makes a bold case: the future of the planet depends on Africa.

Why traditional conservation models — rooted in colonial history — have failed African communities

How centering people, livelihoods, and local economies leads to more sustainable conservation outcomes

The success story of Rwanda’s community-owned luxury lodges and mountain gorilla conservation

The crucial role of Africa’s youth in shaping the continent’s political, economic, and environmental future

Why the global fight against climate change cannot succeed without Africa

How Europe and Africa can move beyond aid toward equitable trade, investment, and shared innovation

The mindset shift Kaddu believes is needed: from protecting Africa to partnering with Africa

Chapters:

00:00 The Need for a People-Centered Approach to Conservation

10:12 Rethinking Conservation Economics

20:11 The Role of Youth in Africa's Future

26:07 Optimism and Opportunities in Africa's Development

Takeaway:

Conservation isn’t about protecting animals from people — it’s about empowering people to live with and benefit from wildlife. To secure a sustainable future, the world must change the conversation and recognise Africa’s central role in global survival.

About Kaddu Sebunya: 

Kaddu Sebunya is the Chief Executive Officer of African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). He has over 25 years’ experience in conservation at grassroots, national and regional levels in the USA, Africa, and Europe, and is now responsible for driving AWF’s long term-strategy.

Kaddu has worked with Oxfam UK, the World Conservation Union - IUCN, USA Peace Corps, Conservation International, and Solimar International.

He believes conserving Africa’s wildlife is too important and too urgent to be left to the West alone. He is concerned that big African voices leading the fight against the destruction of habitat and wildlife today are few, arguing that it is time the African elite step forward.

Working with leaders in business, politics, civil society, policy, international development and education as well as the youth, Kaddu is building a global coalition for conservation to protect Africa’s natural capital for posterity. He sees conservation as a social, economic, security and health question requiring new partnerships and multi-sectoral strategies for the people and wildlife to benefit.

Kaddu is a member of the China-Africa Wildlife Conservation Council, a group of civil society and business leaders convened by AWF and the Aspen Institute to serve as a people-to-people platform for supporting China-Africa cooperation on wildlife and wildlands conservation, sustainable economic development, and governance. He is also a member of the Club of Rome and contributes frequently to newspapers in Africa, Europe and the USA.

Kaddu has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and two Master’s degrees: An MA in Law, Policy and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School, Tufts University, USA; and an MSc in Sustainable Resource Management and Policy (Imperial - Wye College, University of London).

Learn more about the African Wildlife Foundation: https://www.awf.org

Follow Kaddu Sebunya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaddu-kiwe-sebunya-384b4658/ 

Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/ 

Follow Martin Weiss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-weiss-ba264424a/