Restore degraded ecosystems through inclusive tree planting (agroforestry) and biodiversity restoration on smallholder farms and communal lands in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) and Southern Africa (Namibia).
About Us
A community-driven, science-backed ecosystem restoration initiative with over 90 years of combined leadership experience across Africa and beyond.
Who We Are
Virgin Africa Conservancy Limited
The Virgin Africa Conservancy is a community-driven, science-backed ecosystem restoration initiative based in Kenya, with vast experience in grassroots mobilization and institutional engagement for action on land, water, and energy resources toward building resilient and sustainable landscapes.
Virgin Africa has used tree planting and conservation as primary tools to increase land cover, restore biodiversity, protect soil and water, increase carbon sinks, strengthen community capacities, and ensure livelihood sustainability across multiple counties in Kenya.
The leadership team combines over 90 years of experience across forestry, agroforestry, agro-ecology, environmental policy, climate finance, social entrepreneurship, and research science — with influence spanning more than 40 countries in Africa and beyond.
Headquarters: Kenya (with projects across East and Southern Africa)
Our Mission
Objectives
Multiple but complementary objectives guiding our work across East and Southern Africa.
Increase forest cover and sequester carbon in Kenya through active afforestation programs in designated spaces, including community-led natural resource management.
Integrate and protect species diversity (biodiversity), leading to protection of endangered and priority species for social, economic, and ecosystem services.
Develop social enterprises, value chains, and diversified livelihoods through inclusive product development and mainstreaming of value chains in rural communities in Africa.
Increase access to climate finance through project preparation, certification, and negotiations.
Promote agroecology, climate resilience, and renewable energy through soil and water conservation, drought-resistant tree species, and sustainable land use.
Strengthen local governance, skills, and know-how through training and mentorship for long-term ecosystem stewardship.
Interface traditional and modern technologies across all objectives.
Cushion nutritional and health foundations of communities through capacity building.
Where We Work
Project Locations
Past and ongoing work across key ecological zones in Kenya.
Nakuru County
Previously degraded Mau water catchment
Nyeri County
Control of forest fires in critical water tower and agricultural zones
Nandi County
Lake Victoria basin/watershed and agricultural zone
Embu County
High-throughput agricultural land for cash crops and Tana River catchment
Kirinyaga County
High-throughput export horticulture zones and Tana River catchment
Kisii County
Household biogas initiatives
Tharaka Nithi County
Dryland irrigation and agroforestry by small-scale farmers
2030 Vision
Our Targets
Ambitious goals for communities, carbon sequestration, and social enterprise by 2030.
Communities & Stakeholders
- 10,000 smallholder farmers capacitated across all target counties of operation
- 1,000 women- and youth-led groups involved in conservation and climate-smart businesses
- 100 community-based organizations (CBOs) provided with high-quality germplasm
- 50 community conservancies capacitated
- 20 local government and county forestry departments supported with climate programmes
Carbon Sequestration
- Potential area: 100,000–500,000 hectares across 20 counties
- Initial estimate: ~500,000–1,000,000 tCO₂e over a 20-year period
Social Enterprise
- Implement at least 3 social enterprises in each of 20 counties
- Initial revenue estimate: KSh 5 billion (2026–2030)
Expected Impact
Co-Benefits & Outcomes
Livelihood improvement through alternative income streams
Gender inclusion in leadership and carbon benefit sharing
Food security through sustainable, climate-resilient food production and preservation
Water security through soil and catchment restoration
Conservation and biodiversity recovery in currently degraded environments
Capacity building for community climate governance and for institutions in public and private sectors
Progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) — Life on Land
Our People
Leadership & Consultant Team
A dedicated team of experts in forestry, agroforestry, climate science, community development, and finance.
RB
Prof. Rhoda Birech
Lead Team — Environmental, Social, Health & Safety
Qualifications: PhD in Sustainable Agriculture (BOKU, Austria); MPhil in Seed Technologies
34 years in agroforestry trees, fruit trees and crop seed and seedling development, nursery management, biofuels and renewable energy, organ...
SI
Dr. Shadrack Inoti
Biodiversity
Qualifications: PhD in Agroforestry, Sokoine University, Tanzania
37 years in forestry and agroforestry in Kenya; large-scale tree nursery development, community nurseries, and capacity building.
JO
Dr. Joel Onyango
GIS, Remote Sensing, Data Management & Climate Impact Modelling
Qualifications: Post-doc Governance of Socio-Technical Transitions; PhD in Aquatic Ecosystems
15 years of international engagement with global climate and sustainable development frameworks; data collation, analytics, synthesis, and b...
SK
Dr. Sarah Koome
Health and Safety Officer
Qualifications: Bachelor of Pharmacy, MKU, Kenya
5 years in health and safety.
ZN
Miss Zipporah Nyokabi Mureithi
Environment Officer
Qualifications: MSc in Natural Resources, Egerton University, Kenya
6 years in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, gender-responsive programming, and water resource management.
PK
Miss Purity Kawira Muriuki
Community Livelihood Restoration
Qualifications: MSc Candidate in Agricultural & Applied Economics
5 years in agricultural data management and modelling.
MK
Mr. Mark Korir
Community Liaison Officer
Qualifications: BSc in Social Work; MSc in Social Science and Community Development
Over 20 years in community mobilization and project development.
SN
Miss Selma Nashea
Circular Economy & Waste Management
Qualifications: MBA in Sustainable Development and Management; BSc in Natural Resource Conservation
10 years in waste management and community tree planting in Namibia.
JW
Mr. James Wachira Wambugu
Project Finance & Accounting
Qualifications: MSc in Operations & Technology Management; Certified Public Accountant
10 years in finance management, financial reporting, accounting, and audit facilitation.
AM
Mr. Alex Mwangi Mwaura
Project Designer & Implementation
Qualifications: Bachelor of Architecture, JKUAT, Kenya
15 years in architectural design for housing and industrial sectors.