Akashinga was established to challenge conventional approaches to conservation and to build a model capable of delivering lasting ecological and social impact.
Founded in 2009 as the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF), the organisation began by confronting the urgent realities of wildlife crime. Over time, that work evolved into something more ambitious: a systems-driven approach to conservation rooted in community partnership, operational discipline, and long-term resilience.
Today, Akashinga reflects the maturation of that vision. Meaning “the Brave Ones” in Zimbabwe’s Shona language, our name recognises the individuals and communities whose leadership makes enduring conservation possible. It signals a shift from reactive protection toward a forward-looking model designed to safeguard ecosystems while strengthening the social foundations that support them. At the centre of this approach is the advancement of women in conservation leadership — not as an aspiration, but as a proven pathway to stability, accountability, and generational impact.
The Akashinga model invests in locally led development, supports nature-based economies, and protects critical landscapes by aligning ecological priorities with community well-being. Through long-term partnerships with governments, local stakeholders, and Indigenous communities, we work to secure migratory corridors, strengthen habitat connectivity, and reduce the drivers of biodiversity loss. This is conservation built for complexity: informed by science, grounded in local knowledge, and structured for durability.
While Akashinga continues to grow across landscapes, our focus remains constant: protecting biodiversity while creating the conditions for both people and ecosystems to thrive. We operate with the understanding that conservation is not a short-term intervention, but a generational responsibility.
