SOS African Wildlife Initiative

Safeguarding Africa’s wildlife and those who protect it

Since 2017, IUCN Save Our Species and the European Union have joined forces to protect Africa’s large carnivores, from lions and leopards to cheetahs and wild dogs, and the people who live alongside them.

Through targeted grants and partnerships, the SOS African Wildlife Initiative (AWI) strengthens local capacity to protect species, restore habitats, reduce human–wildlife conflict and secure a future where people and nature coexist.

Why this matters

Africa’s large carnivores are keystone species, essential for balanced ecosystems, healthy prey populations, and resilient landscapes. Yet today, they face escalating threats from habitat loss, retaliatory killing, and illegal trade.

The SOS African Wildlife Initiative (AWI) aims to halt the decline of Africa’s iconic carnivores and their prey across more than 20 countries. By empowering civil society organisations, AWI supports practical, locally led solutions to conserve species, safeguard ecosystems, and enhance community livelihoods.

Running from 2017 to 2027, the initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by IUCN Save Our Species, in collaboration with national governments, research institutions, and local NGOs. Together, these partners are helping to ensure that Africa’s carnivores continue to thrive in the wild, as keystone species essential for balanced ecosystems.

Our impact in numbers

2019B 022 Salvinia mecanical removal in lake Ossa — ©African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO)

The African Wildlife Initiative drives measurable impact on the ground. Each project contributes to a shared vision: ensuring Africa’s wildlife continues to thrive in healthy ecosystems where people and nature coexist.

Each project contributes to Africa’s biodiversity and climate goals — protecting species, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening community resilience.

100+ projects supported across 20+ countries

60+ species conserved

1,000+ community members trained

50,000+ km² of key habitats protected

Our approach

The African Wildlife Initiative builds on a people-centred, science-based approach that integrates:

Species conservation: implementing targeted actions for threatened species;

Habitat restoration: protecting key ecosystems and ecological corridors;

Community engagement: creating sustainable livelihoods and empowering local leadership;

Knowledge exchange: fostering learning and collaboration among partners.

West African giraffe with AVEN and government staff©GCF 1 1 — © GCF

How we work

Threatened Species Grants
Long-term grants supporting civil society organisations to implement targeted conservation action for large carnivores and their prey. Projects focus on sustainable management, research, and policy influence.

Rapid Action Grants
Short-term emergency funding that enables fast responses to emerging threats such as poaching surges, disease outbreaks, or human–wildlife conflict incidents.

Community-driven solutions
All AWI projects are designed and implemented with local communities to ensure long-term coexistence, equitable benefits, and shared stewardship of natural resources.

Featured publication: Tackling emerging conservation threats in Africa (2021–2024)

report 02

When crises strike, rapid action can make the difference between losing and saving a species. Our impact report showcases five years of results from IUCN’s Rapid Action Grants under the African Wildlife Initiative. From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to rising climate-related emergencies, these grants provided urgent lifelines to conservation actors across Africa, ensuring continued protection for species, habitats, and communities.

Country reports

To showcase the breadth of action across Africa, the SOS African Wildlife Initiative has developed a series of country reports highlighting national progress, local partnerships, and lessons learned.

Each report captures the state of large carnivore conservation in that country — including key threats, community initiatives, and how AWI-funded projects contribute to national biodiversity goals.

Together, these reports provide a clear picture of how small grants are scaling measurable conservation results across the continent.

Discover the latest country reports:

Cameroon (English) / Cameroun (French)
Democratic Republic of Congo (English) / République démocratique du Congo (French)
Kenya
Niger (English) / Niger (French)
South Africa
Uganda

Stories from the field

Conservation is driven by people. Through our “Voices from the Wild” video series, meet the local organisations working across Africa to protect species and restore ecosystems. Each short film highlights a unique conservation story, from rangers safeguarding elephants in Kenya to botanists rescuing the world’s rarest cycads in South Africa.

Watch the full playlist