The African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) is accepting applications for Cohort 3 of the Nature Executive Fellowship, a 12-month leadership development programme designed to equip senior professionals with the expertise, networks, and practical skills needed to advance nature finance and biodiversity conservation across Africa.
The fellowship is delivered in collaboration with the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, the University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, and the London School of Economics. Funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the programme combines academic instruction, leadership development, expert guidance, and practical project implementation.
Applications close on 22 October 2026, and submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible professionals are encouraged to apply early.
Overview of the Nature Executive Fellowship 2027
- Programme: Nature Executive Fellowship, Cohort 3
- Organiser: African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA)
- Duration: 12 months
- Programme period: 2027
- Location: In-person residential modules, with online sessions between modules
- Residential modules: February, May, and August 2027
- Application deadline: 22 October 2026
- Selection process: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
- Target audience: Senior leaders and executives working in Africa’s nature finance ecosystem
- Funding: Programme funded by Defra
About the Nature Executive Fellowship
The Nature Executive Fellowship aims to develop Africa’s next generation of nature finance leaders by strengthening their ability to mobilise capital, influence institutional decision-making, and advance nature-positive economic development.
The programme is designed for executives committed to addressing Africa’s environmental and biodiversity challenges through practical financial and institutional solutions. Participants combine learning from leading academic institutions with work on a real-world nature-based solutions project relevant to their organisation.
Throughout the 12-month programme, fellows participate in three compulsory residential modules, online learning sessions, group coaching, and expert-led discussions. They also receive support to develop their projects towards implementation and capital mobilisation.
Upon successful completion, fellows join an alumni community and gain continued connections with ANCA’s network of financial institutions, regulators, investors, project developers, and technical experts.
Eligibility and Target Applicants
The fellowship is intended for senior professionals and executives who can influence strategic decisions and contribute to nature finance initiatives within their organisations.
It may be particularly relevant to professionals working in:
- Financial institutions, banking, and investment.
- Environmental finance and biodiversity conservation.
- Nature-based solutions and sustainable development.
- Financial regulation and environmental policy.
- Project development and capital mobilisation.
- Organisations working to advance nature-positive economies across Africa.
The programme page does not provide a complete formal eligibility checklist covering qualifications, years of experience, or nationality. Prospective applicants should consult the official application portal for the detailed requirements.
Preference is given to candidates from ANCA member organisations. Applicants should therefore review the alliance’s membership information to determine whether their organisation is a member and whether membership is relevant to their application.
Fellowship Benefits
1. Strategic expertise in nature finance
Fellows gain insights from leading global institutions and explore how nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities affect African economies and financial systems.
2. Executive leadership development
The programme strengthens participants’ ability to influence senior decision-makers, investment committees, boards, regulators, and other stakeholders involved in strategic nature-related initiatives.
3. International and pan-African networking
Participants develop relationships with fellow executives, programme alumni, international experts, investors, and other stakeholders. These connections can support collaboration and project development beyond the fellowship.
4. Practical project development
Each fellow advances a nature-based solutions project through expert guidance, peer review, and practical learning. The goal is to move the project closer to implementation and capital mobilisation.
5. Recognised certificate
Participants who complete the programme receive a certificate signed by the programme partners.
Important funding note: The programme is funded by Defra, but the published information does not specify whether individual fellows receive a salary, stipend, travel allowance, or accommodation allowance. Applicants should confirm any personal costs and financial arrangements with the organisers before accepting a place.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the fellowship, participants are expected to develop the ability to:
- Explain the importance of nature to their institutions and the wider African economy.
- Assess nature-related risks, opportunities, and dependencies.
- Understand financial instruments used to support nature, including blended finance, biodiversity credits, and nature-based solutions.
- Communicate environmental and financial issues effectively to boards, investors, and regulators.
- Advance a practical nature-based solutions project towards implementation.
- Use professional networks to influence policy, markets, and institutional practices.
These competencies are intended to help participants integrate nature considerations into financial decisions and support the growth of Africa’s nature finance ecosystem.
Programme Structure and Time Commitment
The fellowship runs for 12 months and is designed to accommodate participants who continue in senior professional roles. However, it requires a substantial commitment.
Participants must attend three compulsory residential modules, each lasting one week, scheduled for February, May, and August 2027. Online sessions and group coaching take place between residential modules, alongside work on the fellow’s project.
Applicants must obtain written confirmation from their employers that they will be released to attend all three modules and supported to work on their projects.
Withdrawal and attendance conditions are important: Fellows who cannot attend a module or withdraw from the programme for any reason will be required to repay the costs of the fellowship programme incurred on their behalf. Applicants should carefully review the applicable terms before committing.
How to Apply for the Nature Executive Fellowship
Interested applicants should complete the official online application through the recruitment portal.
Before applying, candidates should:
- Review the programme description and detailed eligibility requirements.
- Identify a relevant nature-based solutions project that could benefit from the fellowship.
- Consider how the proposed project could contribute to their organisation and Africa’s nature finance ecosystem.
- Confirm their employer’s willingness to support attendance and project development.
- Check the programme’s participation, attendance, and repayment conditions.
- Submit the completed application before the deadline.
Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, submitting a well-prepared application early may help candidates avoid leaving the process until the final deadline.
How to Strengthen an Application
Applicants should demonstrate how their professional responsibilities connect to nature finance, biodiversity, sustainable investment, or nature-based solutions. A strong application should explain the institutional or environmental challenge they want to address and how their proposed project could produce practical results.
Candidates should also show their capacity to influence decision-making, mobilise stakeholders, and translate learning into organisational action. A clearly defined project with a credible path towards implementation may help demonstrate the value of participating in the fellowship.
Applicants from ANCA member organisations should make their organisational affiliation clear where requested and explain how their project aligns with their institution’s objectives.
Application Deadline and Official Link
The application deadline for ANCA Nature Executive Fellowship Cohort 3 is 22 October 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
The fellowship offers an opportunity for African executives to strengthen their leadership capacity, develop practical nature finance projects, and contribute to nature-positive economic development across the continent.
