Putting Conservation at the Heart of Enterprise

The Mountain Bongo Story

Humphrey Kariuki, IUCN’s first African Patron of Nature, was the keynote speaker at the dinner. He spoke about the vital role of nature in business and explained why nature-based enterprise is central to Africa’s long-term sustainable development. A Kenyan industrialist with interests in hospitality, energy, and real estate, Kariuki began building his businesses in 1984 and has since consolidated them under the Janus Continental Group, with operational hubs in Kenya, Mauritius, and Dubai. He nonetheless aspires for his legacy to be defined by his contributions to conservation.

Through the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), Kariuki has led one of Africa’s most ambitious privately funded species recovery programs, restoring the mountain bongo to its natural habitat. The mountain bongo is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Today the conservancy hosts 100 bongos and has planted over 40,000 indigenous trees on 350 acres of forest land, creating the world’s first dedicated Mountain Bongo sanctuary – The Mawingu Sanctuary. MKWC’s Mountain Bongo Breeding and Rewilding programme blends species recovery with ecosystem restoration, eco-tourism, and community education.

In recognition of these achievements, Kariuki was named IUCN Patron of Nature in October 2025, the first African to receive the honour, underscoring his role in championing locally driven conservation that engages the private sector and delivers both ecological and economic impact. Kariuki stated, “Nature takes care of business, and business must take care of nature. Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of every supply chain, productive landscape, and the communities we depend on. If we ignore nature, we ignore the resource that makes business possible, and that is simply not sustainable.”

The business leaders in attendance agreed that governments and non-governmental organizations alone cannot safeguard Africa’s natural capital. Private sector engagement is essential. Luther Anukur, Regional Director of IUCN, explained, “Nature is not a corporate social responsibility issue. It is an economic issue. Companies rely on forests for water, rivers for agriculture, and on biodiversity for productive landscapes. Ignoring these ecosystems is more than an ethical concern, it is also a direct business risk. Businesses that integrate nature into strategy will be the ones that remain resilient in the face of uncertainty.”

Bridging Business and Conservation

Tanzania offers a compelling illustration of this opportunity for nature to act as a foundation for business resilience. The country’s natural capital underpins its agriculture, tourism, and energy sectors. Santina Benson, Executive Director of the Tanzania CEO Roundtable, emphasized that Tanzania’s economic future is inseparable from the health of its natural capital. “When businesses come together to innovate around sustainability, they strengthen not only the environment but also the long-term prospects of their industries,” she said. 

David Tarimo, Chair of the Roundtable, added, “Sustainable growth requires actively protecting the ecosystems that support our industries and communities. Conservation is not a side activity; it should be embedded in business strategy. Companies that embrace this approach will find they are securing both ecological and economic resilience for the decades ahead.”

Kariuki sees himself as a bridge between business and conservation. He stressed that partnerships amplify impact and that private sector capital, when aligned with local initiatives and backed by clear, measurable, science-based results, can catalyse conservation at a scale that governments and non-governmental organizations alone cannot achieve. 

He also emphasized the importance of education, noting that young people must understand the value of nature because they will inherit the responsibility for Africa’s landscapes. “If young people grow up valuing nature, they will innovate, lead, and make decisions that sustain both our economies and our ecosystems. The future of Africa depends on this mindset,” he said.

By the end of the evening, it was clear among the leaders at the Tanzania CEO Roundtable that nature conservation can no longer be peripheral to business decision. Making catalytic nature investments, integrating nature into risk management, and measuring outcomes transparently are the pathways for African businesses to thrive. This approach makes conservation an opportunity for lasting and sustainable development.