The Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum – GCTDF has confirmed that its 2026 edition will include a dedicated Women in Conservation Forum, set to take place on 2nd March 2026, in Nairobi.
The move reflects a growing push across Africa to place women more firmly at the heart of conservation policy, practice and innovation. The forum is being held with support from government and conservation partners, including the Kenya Wildlife Service and Action Labs, alongside funding sponsors such as The Wildlife Society and Island Foundation.
Across Kenya and the continent, women play leading roles as community conservancy heads, wildlife rangers, scientists and grassroots advocates. Yet many still face limited access to decision-making spaces, funding and professional networks. Organizers say the Women in Conservation Forum aims to help close that gap.
GCTDF 2026: Empowering Women in African Conservation Tech
The forum will bring together women practitioners, policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders and international partners in a setting designed to encourage practical exchange rather than high-level rhetoric. Discussions will focus on leadership, skills development, collaboration and the use of technology to support conservation outcomes.
Arnolda Shiundu, Chair of the Kenya Wildlife Trust and a keynote speaker at the forum, says inclusion goes beyond symbolism. “Having a seat at the table and influencing decisions isn’t just a conservation issue. It’s a life issue,” she says. “This conference matters because it creates space for that leadership.”
The program will run from mentorship workshops through to panel discussions and end with a networking cocktail. Conservation groups expected to participate include the Mara Elephant Project, Connected Conservation Foundation, and Leopard Ecology and Conservation. Technology partners such as wilddrone.eu and Nature Drones CiC will also take part. They will highlight how digital tools are reshaping field work.
Macayle Rose Guerin, Lead Organiser of the Women in Conservation Forum, describes the event as a way to strengthen ties across the sector. She says the aim is to build a more connected community of practice that can share solutions and scale impact.
The Women in Conservation Forum will sit within the wider GCTDF program. It brings together conservationists, technologists and policymakers from across Africa and beyond. As biodiversity loss accelerates, organizers argue that inclusive leadership is no longer optional, but essential.
