The Next Frontier
Asset Class

Investing in natural capital and nature-based solutions is no longer just a moral imperative; it is a market opportunity.

This emerging asset class offers investors access to sustained economic growth, inflation protection, and portfolio diversification, providing an exciting opportunity to be early movers in shaping a more sustainable global economy.
Lion silhouette
Pelicans sitting on dried tree stumps

What is
natural capital

Natural capital is the world’s stock of natural resources — from soil, water and air to the countless species and ecosystems that sustain us. It is the foundation of all economic and social activity, providing the essential goods and services that make human life possible. These natural systems generate immense, often invisible, value through services, such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration.

What is
natural capital

Natural capital is the world’s stock of natural resources — from soil, water and air to the countless species and ecosystems that sustain us. It is the foundation of all economic and social activity, providing the essential goods and services that make human life possible. These natural systems generate immense, often invisible, value through services, such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration.

I am Earth

Why natural capital

Despite its fundamental importance, natural capital has been poorly valued and mispriced by the market with traditional economic systems neglecting to recognise its true value. By failing to account for nature’s assets, markets overlook both the costs of environmental degradation and the immense potential created through restoration and sustainable management. Accurately accounting for natural capital within investment decisions ensures that growth strengthens, rather than depletes, the natural systems on which economic activity and humanity depend.

30x

Every $1 invested in nature can yield up to 30x in co-benefits

50%

Over 50% of global GDP depends on nature

<2%

Nature attracts <2% of climate finance

Colourful plants with a mountain in the background

Investing in natural assets

Unlike traditional investments, nature-based assets derive their value from biological productivity, ecosystem services, and long-term land appreciation. This gives them a stabilising force within diversified portfolios, offering inverse correlation to equities and fixed income, and strong inflation protection through their underlying land value.

Natural capital is a rare, appreciating asset class. Unlike typical infrastructure assets that steadily depreciate over time, these assets appreciate over time while generating long-term revenue streams from ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and storage, water regulation, climate mitigation, and livelihood development.  Research shows that every dollar invested in nature restoration can yield up to thirty times that amount in avoided losses and co-benefits.  Yet, despite underpinning more than half of global GDP, nature still attracts less than two percent of climate finance – a striking imbalance that presents both a real challenge and a tremendous opportunity.

At Natural Capital, we understand that investing in Africa’s exceptional store of natural wealth can unlock lasting economic and ecological value.  By directing capital toward nature-positive enterprises, we can strengthen climate resilience, protect biodiversity, generate sustainable returns, and build a foundation for shared prosperity across the African continent.

Investing in natural assets

Unlike traditional investments, nature-based assets derive their value from biological productivity, ecosystem services, and long-term land appreciation. This gives them a stabilising force within diversified portfolios, offering inverse correlation to equities and fixed income, and strong inflation protection through their underlying land value.

Natural capital is a rare, appreciating asset class. Unlike typical infrastructure assets that steadily depreciate over time, these assets appreciate over time while generating long-term revenue streams from ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and storage, water regulation, climate mitigation, and livelihood development.  Research shows that every dollar invested in nature restoration can yield up to thirty times that amount in avoided losses and co-benefits.  Yet, despite underpinning more than half of global GDP, nature still attracts less than two percent of climate finance – a striking imbalance that presents both a real challenge and a tremendous opportunity.

At Natural Capital, we understand that investing in Africa’s exceptional store of natural wealth can unlock lasting economic and ecological value.  By directing capital toward nature-positive enterprises, we can strengthen climate resilience, protect biodiversity, generate sustainable returns, and build a foundation for shared prosperity across the African continent.

Value creation
of natural
capital

Natural capital functions as a regenerative asset class, where investment in ecosystems restores essential services while generating diversified revenue streams. As ecological performance strengthens, economic value compounds, enabling returns to be shared, reinvested, and scaled to build long-term resilience for nature and people.

Investing in natural assets creates compounding economic and ecological value

01

Capital Investment

01

Capital Investment

Blended finance channels private and catalytic capital.

02

Nature-based assets

02

Nature-based assets

Ecosystems as productive, appreciating natural assets.

03

Ecosystem services restored

03

Ecosystem services restored

Carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity recovery.

04

Revenue streams generated

04

Revenue streams generated

Carbon & biodiversity credits, tourism, and sustainable land use.

05

Shared returns and reinvestment

05

Shared returns and reinvestment

Returns distributed and reinvested to grow impact and resilience.

Sources of value 

As an emerging asset class, natural capital generates diversified, nature-based revenue streams that deliver stable returns while strengthening ecological resilience.

Ecotourism icon

Ecotourism

Photographic safaris and other nature-based experiences providing recurring income and enduring community benefits.

Ethical Hunting icon

Ethical hunting

Well-regulated and sustainable consumptive wildlife use funding conservation and habitat protection.

Carbon credits icon

Carbon credits

Verified emissions reductions producing measurable, tradable returns.

Biodiversity credits icon

Biodiversity credits

Financial value from restoring and protecting natural ecosystems.

Regenerative agriculture icon

Regenerative agriculture

Profitable production enhancing soil health and ecosystem stability.

Sustainable forestry icon

Sustainable forestry

Renewable timber and carbon income from well managed forest landscapes.

Water services icon

Water services

Payments for watershed protection and long-term resource security.

Investing in biodiversity makes both environmental and economic sense. Estimates by the World Economic Forum suggest that protecting nature and increasing biodiversity could generate business opportunities worth $10 trillion a year and create nearly 400 million new jobs.
Amina Mohammed

UN Deputy Secretary-General

New environmental measures and indicators are revealing – with ever more precision – not only what we are losing, but also what we will gain from bringing people and planet into balance. The case for investing in nature is only getting clearer.
Tim Christophersen

Coordinator of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

This is not about putting a price tag on every bee and tree. It is about understanding that intact ecosystems are ultimately worth more to humanity than when they are destroyed.
William Speller

UNEP

Get in touch

Connect with us to explore collaboration, investment, and impact opportunities across Africa.
Contact

Theory
of change

Our theory of change aligns ecological restoration with inclusive local economic development and financial returns.

Goal

To safeguard critical wilderness areas in Africa that deliver long-term benefits for nature, people and sustainable economic development

01
Outcome 1:
Protecting & Restoring Nature

High-value ecosystems are secured, effectively managed, and resilient to climate change.

Output 1.1

High-value conservation landscapes are identified, secured, and established

Output 1.2

Conservation areas are effectively managed and ecologically restored

Output 1.3

Biodiversity, climate, and ecosystem health are monitored using robust science

02
Outcome 2:
Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Local communities experience equitable benefits, improved livelihoods, and active participation in conservation.

Output 2.1

Better jobs and diversified livelihood opportunities are created

Output 2.2

Individuals achieve higher levels of employment, fair wages, and economic stability

Output 2.3

Women and underrepresented groups are empowered and included in decision-making

03
Outcome 3:
Sustainable Finance for Nature

Conservation landscapes are supported by long-term, diversified, and scalable capital.

Output 3.1

Conservation projects are designed with the financial, legal, and ecological structures needed for investment

Output 3.2

Philanthropic, private, and public capital are mobilised and deployed at scale

Output 3.3

Sustainable revenue models ensure long-term financial resilience

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