At the recent Business of Conservation Conference in Nairobi, conservation leaders, investors, and policymakers explored how Africa’s natural resources can be transformed into economic opportunities.
While enthusiasm around nature markets is growing, experts say investors remain hesitant to commit substantial funds, particularly in Uganda.
Ecotrust, a Ugandan conservation group, showcased community-driven initiatives aimed at strengthening nature markets.
Its Executive Director, Pauline Nantongo, joined other agencies, practitioners, investors, and insurers in emphasizing the essential role of local communities in sustaining conservation-based economies.
Nature markets are systems where ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and wildlife generate financial value through mechanisms like carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and ecosystem services.
Translating these benefits into bankable investments, however, remains a significant challenge.
Richard Field explained that a key obstacle lies in measuring the economic contribution of nature.
“The measurement of the contribution that nature brings to people is hard,” he said, noting that the difficulty in quantifying ecological benefits can erode investor confidence.
“For this reason many may hardly believe in the conservationists in Uganda because they can’t measure the achievements.”
Biodiversity underpins essential ecosystem services such as clean air, water regulation, fertile soils, and climate stability. Communities often support these ecosystems through conservation activities, which in turn sustain local livelihoods.
Environmental conservationist Priscila Nabuyemba added that the lack of clear monetary valuation makes it difficult for financial institutions to provide loans or funding for nature-based enterprises.
“It’s hard to use non-monetary value to convince someone to give you a loan or any form of finance,” she said.
Communities involved in conservation may earn intangible benefits, such as improved air quality, clean water, and better health outcomes. However, these “bio-credits” remain largely non-monetary.
“If you don’t turn these bio credits into money or anything tangible, people cannot see sense in it,” Nabuyemba explained.
Experts argue that bridging this gap will require innovative financing models that translate ecological value into measurable economic returns.
They also emphasize the importance of community leadership to ensure local populations understand and benefit from conservation initiatives.
Without such reforms, analysts warn, Africa’s biodiversity—despite its immense potential—may fail to attract sufficient private investment, slowing the scaling of conservation solutions and the development of sustainable nature markets across the region.
