Founded in 2000, the Pan African Wildlife Conservation Network (P.A.W.C.N) is a dynamic movement committed to bringing together wildlife defenders from every corner of Africa.

Our mission is to ignite awareness and drive change for the protection of Africa’s wildlife and natural environments.

We raise our voices in influential spaces—locally and globally—sharing powerful stories, bold strategies, and collective wisdom from passionate conservationists across the continent.

For over two decades, P.A.W.C.N has grown stronger, expanding its reach and impact in the fight to preserve Africa’s irreplaceable natural heritage.

Strategic Pillars of pawcn

Cross Border Collaboration

PAWCONET’s success is rooted in its ability to positively impact wildlife conservation and livelihoods across Africa through robust cross-border partnerships. Central to its 3-year strategic plan is the expansion of its network—growing membership and partnerships with aligned organizations.

To increase visibility and broaden its reach, PAWCONET will actively participate in and host conservation forums, including seminars, conferences, and workshops. These gatherings will serve as vital platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic alignment.

PAWCONET will also engage service providers and establish formal partnerships that align with its conservation objectives. This will foster more communication channels and deeper cooperation with stakeholders, including national agencies, local communities, and wildlife conservation bodies. Ultimately, PAWCONET aims to facilitate a pan-African conservation agenda through unified, results-driven projects.

PAWCONET will partner with organizations that champion conservation through:

Enhanced protection of at-risk species
Mitigation of human-wildlife conflict
Habitat preservation and management
Protection of key migration corridors and reserves
Local capacity building
Cross-border wildlife conservation
Creation of new protected areas
Strengthening enforcement, forensic, and inspection capabilities
Conservation education and community outreach
Data-driven conservation planning
Technological innovation for wildlife protection
Compliance with CITES and other relevant treaties and laws

Institutional Strengthening & Resource Mobilization

PAWCONET is committed to enhancing its internal capacity and governance framework through comprehensive needs assessments and targeted recruitment. By fostering integrity, innovation, and competence, PAWCONET aims to become a continental benchmark in conservation service delivery.

Key areas of focus include:

Building a performance-based organizational culture
Enhancing quality and excellence in service delivery
Strengthening credibility, stakeholder trust, and continental harmonization of standards

Alongside institutional reforms, a dynamic resource mobilization strategy will be led by the Executive. This includes introducing:

New revenue-generating activities
Corporate-aligned conservation events
Community-led, high-impact projects
User-friendly donation platforms (e.g., GoFundMe-style crowdfunding)

PAWCONET will diversify its income streams and embed transparency in its financial operations. Donor funds and grants will be managed through accountable systems, with regular audits and capacity-building trainings scheduled for staff and the board. Governance will remain a cornerstone of sustainable growth.

In the long term, PAWCONET aims to create jobs, gain recognition from regional bodies like the AU, and build a directory of African wildlife professionals—positioning itself as a trusted leader in the field.

PAWCONET will roll out efficient communication tools simplifying interaction among its members and the secretariat. These tools will create fast, cost-effective communication channels, increasing network responsiveness and strengthening internal operations.

In its information-driven approach, decisions on wildlife management will be guided by scientific data, monitoring, and research. In countries where regulated hunting is permitted, PAWCONET will work with local agencies to assess wildlife populations and determine sustainable quotas, ensuring evidence-based conservation.

By shifting its member perception from participants to premium stakeholders, PAWCONET will instil greater ownership, commitment, and trust across the board.

Advocacy

PAWCONET will be a bold, proactive advocate for policy and legislative reforms that advance African wildlife conservation. It will identify pressing issues, engage with grassroots actors, and drive action through constructive dialogue with decision-makers.

To ensure strategic advocacy, PAWCONET will build the capacity of its members and secretariat to:

Track and prioritize key policy issues
Influence the legislative process in member countries
Champion harmonized continental frameworks
Review and modernize outdated laws

PAWCONET won’t simply wait for policy change—it will lead it. Through a strong network of partnerships, PAWCONET will influence national and continental policy agendas to align with global best practices and Africa’s unique conservation needs.

Vision for the Future
PAWCONET seeks to be recognized beyond Africa as the leading voice for wildlife conservation on the continent. It will invite partners, governments, and private stakeholders to be part of this legacy—helping shape a future where wildlife conservation is not just a goal, but a shared continental identity.

Our partners

Conservation is not a solo effort. At P.A.W.C.N, we are proud to work alongside a broad and committed network of partners who share our vision for a thriving, biodiverse Africa.