About Brighton Chilekeni
Brighton Chilekeni is a distinguished and relentless conservation leader, whose career embodies a truly pan-African commitment to preserving the continent's natural heritage. Hailing from South Africa and now operating from Zambia, Brighton has forged a reputation as a formidable expert, now operating at the forefront of climate finance, community-driven conservation, and technological innovation.
A Continental Journey Forged in Passion & Vision
His international career began in the iconic landscapes of Kenya in 2018, where his passion for wildlife was ignited. He then honed his expertise through advanced conservation studies in Botswana. This unique journey has equipped him with an unparalleled continental perspective, which he now applies to one of the world's most ambitious forest conservation programs while also leading his own visionary venture.
Core Identity: The CEO, Leader & Advisor
· Entrepreneurial Leadership: Founder & CEO of Tech4Wildlife, a pioneering project dedicated to revolutionizing conservation law enforcement through the adoption and mastery of advanced technology.
· Corporate Leadership: Project Conservation Officer at BioCarbon Partners (BCP), managing the groundbreaking Luangwa Community Forest Program (LCFP).
· Project Significance (LCFP): A landmark global project where Brighton leads conservation efforts for the:
· First REDD+ project in Zambia and Africa.
· Largest REDD+ project in Africa by area.
· Second-largest REDD+ project in the world.
· Geographic Scope: Manages and coordinates complex conservation operations across a vast landscape spanning three provinces in Zambia: Eastern, Muchinga, and Central.
A Dynamic and Comprehensive Skill Set
Brighton’s expertise is a powerful fusion of strategic leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and deep technical proficiency.
🚀 Visionary Leadership & Innovation
· Conservation Technology Entrepreneurship: As the CEO of Tech4Wildlife, he is actively driving innovation, identifying technological gaps, and creating solutions to combat poaching and enhance field efficiency.
· Capacity Building & Knowledge Transfer: The core mission of Tech4Wildlife is to "sharpen teams with knowledge," demonstrating a commitment to empowering entire organizations and ranger forces through training and technology adoption.
· Large-Scale Program Management: Proven ability to lead and manage multi-province conservation efforts for a world-record-setting REDD+ project at BCP.
· Strategic Law Enforcement Advising: Provides expert-level guidance on integrating technology into law enforcement protocols for maximum impact.
🛠️ Advanced Conservation Technology & Data Intelligence
· Technology Integration Specialist: Expert in the end-to-end deployment of conservation tech stacks, including SMART, EarthRanger, GIS, Cybertracker, and Garmin inReach.
· Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverages spatial data and real-time analytics from platforms like EarthRanger and GIS to guide patrols, model threats, and allocate resources strategically.
· Field Tool Proficiency: Mastery in configuring and using field tools like Cybertracker for data collection and Garmin inReach for team safety and coordination.
🌍 Strategic Field Operations & Impact
· Anti-Poaching Strategy: Designs and advises on technology-enhanced law enforcement operations that are proactive, intelligence-led, and highly effective.
· Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Mitigation: Implements practical, community-driven solutions supported by technological monitoring.
· Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Excels at building collaborative partnerships with communities, government, and traditional leadership across complex, multi-province areas.
In Summary: The Architect of a Tech-Enabled Conservation Future
Brighton Chilekeni has evolved from a frontline expert into an architect of the future of conservation. He operates at a unique intersection:
· As a CEO, he is building the tools and knowledge base to arm conservationists against modern threats.
· As a Project Leader, he is applying that same tech-first mindset to protect one of the world's most significant carbon and biodiversity sinks.
· As an Advisor, he is shaping the very strategies that make conservation efforts smarter, safer, and more successful.
His work demonstrates a powerful, three-part model: protect vast landscapes (BCP), empower local communities (LCFP), and revolutionize the tools of the trade (Tech4Wildlife). Brighton is not just participating in conservation; he is actively leading its evolution, making him an invaluable visionary and a driving force for change in the global conservation arena.
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Influencer Of
Sikela Namangolwa
Environmental Education Officer, Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia
Nervours Daka
Donor Relations Specialist, AFRICAN HEALTH VOLUNTEERS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESCUE AND REFERRALS PARTNERSHIPS
Suhail Bashir
Environmental Consultant, WildHub Community Advocate, ENS Environmnetal Consultancy Sharjah
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Recent Comments
Hi Chloe,
Good afternoon,
Hope this massage finds you well.
How can we get in touch?
Hi there. Nice to hear about your project - what kind of partnership are you looking for? What do you want to get from a partnership?
The type of partnership that Save African Wild Dog (SAWD) seeks can be categorized as a Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Conservation. This partnership model involves collaboration between SAWD and other stakeholders such as corporations, foundations, non-profit organizations, governmental bodies, and research institutions, with the goal of achieving sustainable conservation outcomes for African wild dogs.
In this Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Conservation, the emphasis is on long-term impact, mutual benefit, and shared goals. The partners work together to leverage each other's strengths, resources, and expertise to address the challenges facing African wild dog conservation comprehensively. This type of partnership typically includes elements such as:
1. Resource Mobilization
Partners contribute financial resources, in-kind donations, technical expertise, and other valuable assets to support SAWD's conservation projects.
2. Capacity Building.
Partners collaborate to enhance the capacity of SAWD in terms of skills development, organizational strengthening, and knowledge sharing to improve conservation outcomes.
3. Joint Advocacy and Outreach.
Partners work together to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and engage stakeholders to promote the conservation of African wild dogs and their habitat.
4. Research and Innovation
Partners undertake joint research projects, share data, and develop innovative solutions for addressing conservation challenges faced by African wild dogs.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
Partners engage in regular monitoring and evaluation activities to assess the impact of conservation efforts, adjust strategies as needed, and ensure the sustainability of conservation initiatives.
By forging Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Conservation, SAWD aims to create lasting positive impacts on the conservation of African wild dogs, promote biodiversity conservation, and contribute to the preservation of ecosystems for future generations.