As investment in nature grows, so too does the need for professionals who can work across conservation, business and finance. Africa’s green economy is expected to create 3.3 million new jobs by 2030, 60% of which are projected to be white-collar roles. Without the right experience and training, however, there is a risk that these opportunities will not benefit people from the communities and countries where they are created.
The Natural Capital Fellowship Programme was designed to help bridge this gap, giving emerging African professionals the opportunity to apply their skills to real conservation investments and build careers in a sector with enormous potential for the continent. Now in its third cycle, the Fellowship programme continues to attract a remarkable amount of interest from all corners of the continent. The most recent application round received more than 200 applications, with backgrounds ranging from ecology, geography and conservation science to investment management and actuarial science. The breadth and quality of applicants reinforce something we see repeatedly.
Africa does not have a talent problem; it simply has an opportunity problem.
At Natural Capital, we firmly believe that developing these opportunities for the people who live on this continent is one of the most profound ways that we can generate long-term impact. The Fellowship offers early-career professionals practical experience at the intersection of finance and conservation. Fellows sit within Natural Capital’s investment function, contributing to market research, investment analysis, financial modelling and due diligence, while supporting pipeline development and work required to move promising conservation opportunities towards investment readiness. To date, our four Fellows have come from four different African countries, bringing distinct skills, perspectives and professional backgrounds to the team.
Natural Capital Investment Fellow, 2026 cohort
Scaling nature finance in Africa will require more than capital. It will require people with the skills to identify opportunities, understand landscapes and communities, assess risk, structure investments, and ultimately turn conservation potential into viable, investable projects. Building that expertise on the continent is therefore not separate from the growth of nature finance; it is fundamental to it.
If nature is to become a meaningful part of Africa’s economic future, African professionals must be at the forefront of shaping it. The Fellowship is one small but important contribution towards making that happen.
Our theory of change aligns ecological restoration with inclusive local economic development and financial returns.
High-value ecosystems are secured, effectively managed, and resilient to climate change.
High-value conservation landscapes are identified, secured, and established
Conservation areas are effectively managed and ecologically restored
Biodiversity, climate, and ecosystem health are monitored using robust science
Local communities experience equitable benefits, improved livelihoods, and active participation in conservation.
Better jobs and diversified livelihood opportunities are created
Individuals achieve higher levels of employment, fair wages, and economic stability
Women and underrepresented groups are empowered and included in decision-making
Conservation landscapes are supported by long-term, diversified, and scalable capital.
Conservation projects are designed with the financial, legal, and ecological structures needed for investment
Philanthropic, private, and public capital are mobilised and deployed at scale
Sustainable revenue models ensure long-term financial resilience