Ugandan conservationist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Kaddu Sebunya, will visit Cameroon this April as the organization celebrates 10 years of impactful conservation work in the country.
Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AWF officially established its Cameroon office in January 2016. Since then, it has worked to build a future where communities and wildlife coexist and thrive — partnering with government institutions, local communities, and conservation allies.
According to a statement from AWF, Kaddu’s weeklong visit begins on Sunday, April 19, just a day after Pope Leo XIV concludes his own trip to the country. Kaddu’s trip signals a renewed push for conservation efforts in Cameroon. It is expected to highlight AWF’s decade-long impact, strengthen partnerships, and chart a path for scaling up initiatives in key biodiversity landscapes.
AWF has been actively keen on driving biodiversity conservation, combating poaching, and supporting local communities through sustainable livelihoods. Its work in Cameroon focuses on three primary landscapes: Faro, home to the Faro National Park; Campo Ma’an, home to the Campo Ma’an National Park near Kribi, on the border with Equatorial Guinea; and the Dja, home to the Dja Faunal Reserve.
Reports show that AWF’s efforts in these areas have produced encouraging outcomes.
A 2025 survey jointly conducted by AWF and the Garoua Wildlife School shows that conservation measures in Faro National Park were paying off, though increasing human pressures such as transhumant herding and gold panning continue to undermine progress.
During his April 19-25 visit, Kaddu is expected to meet senior government officials to present AWF’s strategic orientations for the coming years, aligning them with national priorities.
He will also meet AWF staff in Yaounde, Faro, Dja, and Campo to reflect on the organization’s decade of operations and celebrate their dedication to protecting wildlife and habitats across the country.
The CEO’s trip underscores Cameroon’s central role in Africa’s biodiversity future, at a time when deforestation, poaching, and climate change threaten ecosystems and livelihoods. It also highlights the importance of financial partners whose support has been instrumental in advancing conservation outcomes. Kaddu will meet with these partners to express gratitude and reaffirm AWF’s commitment to a shared vision where people and wildlife thrive together. Notably, the visit comes just weeks before the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, which will be celebrated under the theme: “Acting locally for global impact.”
