The year began with a moment that moved me deeply; a rhino calf born in Loisaba Conservancy. For 50 years, rhinos had been absent from this part of northern Kenya, wiped out due to poaching. It took months of planning, partnerships and investment to reintroduce 21 black rhinos back to the now secured landscape. Their return, followed only months later by a birth, made me realize this was more than a conservation milestone; it is a powerful reminder that when we protect entire landscapes, life finds a way back and nature and communities thrive.
This notion has contributed to shaping a transformative year for us at TNC Africa. The continent’s sheer vastness gives us extraordinary opportunities to move the needle at huge scales, toward achieving our 2030 Goals. We’ve made a strategic pivot to focus on Africa’s most ecologically valuable and socially significant places, what we’re calling the “Africa Big 5 Irreplaceable Landscapes”: East Africa’s rangelands, the Congo Basin, Lake Tanganyika Basin, KAZA’s Okavango and Zambezi transfrontier areas and the Blue Benguela ocean current. In these uniquely biodiverse regions, we aim to deliver lasting, system-scale conservation outcomes that support thriving communities, bolster climate resilience and protect nature. This is where our efforts will be centered.
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Our strategic plans are grounded in science and set forth clear routes to measurable results. Yet we must also be nimble and resourced flexibly so that we can adapt quickly to new learnings and capitalize on unexpected opportunities.
As I think back to that rhino calf in Loisaba, I’m reminded of what’s possible when we act together, boldly and with determination. When generous TNC donors enabled the establishment of Loisaba Conservancy nearly 15 years ago, we knew that was just the beginning. Transformative conservation at scale takes time, perseverance and the slow work of building strong partnerships with other organizations, governments, the private sector and especially local communities.
That is why I am more grateful than ever for your unwavering support and your faith in us. I’m excited for the work ahead and filled with optimism about what we will achieve, together, in the coming year.
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Stories from 2025
Return of the Rhino
Efforts to restore critically endangered black rhinos are protecting a piece of Kenya's natural heritage.
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Ademola Ajagbe is the Regional Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Africa program.
More About Ademola Ajagbe