A Leader in Conservation & Development

Focus in Africa was established in 2006 as a non-profit conservation and development non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem integrity and building sustainable livelihoods for marginalised communities in the world’s poorest countries. Our first projects were in Tanzania, one of the world’s poorest countries. Carrying out groundbreaking surveys in remote forest, savanna, and marine environments, our dedicated teams of volunteers set about building a comprehensive picture of areas that were heretofore ignored, despite being, as we discovered, among the most biodiverse areas in the world. At the time, Professor John Poynton of the Natural History Museum said:

"In its biodiversity and biogeographical dynamics, Tanzania is proving to be one of the most - if not the most - significant countries in Africa... Over the past decade Focus in Africa's collecting and data recording has progressively developed to achieve high professional standards, which allow vastly improved knowledge of the biodiversity, ecology and biogeography of the area through a detailed recording of specimens, habitats and altitudes... Focus in Africa’s work certainly sets a new standard in the exploration and documenting of the African fauna."

All of our projects are long-term partnerships between Focus in Africa, local NGOs and CBOs, and government and aim to build coalitions between stakeholders at the local, national, and international level.

To conserve the world’s most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalised communities in the world’s poorest countries.  To create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the long-term needs of impoverished communities.

Values

Commitment to working with the most deprived communities in the host country, through the development of partnerships and collaborations, such relationships being central to the Focus in Africa approach.

Attainment of the highest standards of scientific research in all activities and the creation of a stimulating environment in which scientific research is maintained and flourishes.

Dedication to being an integral and supportive part of the scientific and development community, contributing extensively in the planning and execution of projects pertinent to the needs of the target area and sensitive to local populations.

Commitment to acting as a catalyst for positive corporate change and helping businesses to become responsible corporate citizens.

Dedication to helping the public sector adopt ethical and responsible practices aimed at delivering sustainable development and ecosystem protection.

Extending conservation and development engagement to the widest possible group of stakeholders in government and civil society.

1. Our clients’ interests always come first.  We measure success in terms of client satisfaction.

2. Our asset is our reputation. We are dedicated to complying fully with the laws, rules, and ethical principles that govern us.  Our continued success depends on upon unswerving adherence to this standard.

3. We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellent in everything we undertake.  Though we may be involved in a wide variety of projects we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.

4. We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do.  While recognising that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems.  We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.

5. We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job.  In an ethics-driven business we know that without the best people, we cannot do the most meaningful work.

6. We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places.  Focus in Africa is a stepping stone to leading careers at the world’s largest organisations and we emphasise skills development and merit-based advancement for all of our staff.  

7. We stress teamwork in everything that we do.  While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results.

8. The dedication of our people to Focus in Africa and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organisations.  We think that this is an important part of our success.

9. We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our beneficiaries and to develop new projects to meet those needs.  We know that the world does not stand still and that complacency kills.

10. Integrity and honesty are at the heart of our business:  We expect our people to maintain high ethical standard in everything they do.