Author: Brent Lindeque
New York, USA (24 March 2022) – The endangered black rhino in South Africa will receive extraordinary help from Wall Street with a new “Rhino Bond” that will only increase in value as the animal’s population increases! The pilot project has already been backed by the Washington-based lender which has issued a $150 million loan (over R2 […]
New York, USA (24 March 2022) – The endangered black rhino in South Africa will receive extraordinary help from Wall Street with a new “Rhino Bond” that will only increase in value as the animal’s population increases!
The pilot project has already been backed by the Washington-based lender which has issued a $150 million loan (over R2 billion) on the 31st of March.
Populations of black rhinos declined dramatically in the 20th century at the hands of hunters and poaching. Between 1960 and 1995, black rhino numbers dropped by a sobering 98%, to less than 2,500 left in the whole world. Since then, the species has made a tremendous comeback from the brink of extinction. Thanks to persistent conservation efforts across Africa, black rhino numbers have doubled from their historic low 20 years ago to around 5,600 today.
However, the black rhino is still considered critically endangered, and a lot of work remains to bring the numbers up to even a fraction of what it once was – and to ensure that it stays there. Wildlife crime – in this case, poaching and black-market trafficking of rhino horn – continues to plague the species and threaten its recovery.
But the new Wall Street bond wants to change that!
According to AFP, the bond profits will go directly to park staff to invest in fighting poachers and improving the animals’ conditions. The World Bank said the funds would benefit the Addo Elephant National Park and the Great Fish River Nature Reserve.
Officials hope the bond, two years in the making, will offer a new model to leverage private funds to finance conservation efforts or other projects. The catch is they must have benchmarks that can be objectively measured.
“The Rhino bond is a groundbreaking approach to enabling private sector investment in global public goods — in this case, biodiversity conservation, a key global development challenge,” World Bank President David Malpass said in a statement.
“The pay-for-success financial structure protects an endangered species and strengthens South Africa’s conservation efforts.”
The five-year bond, which priced Wednesday, will be sold at 94.84 percent of face value and will provide investors with a guaranteed minimum return once it matures. But they also can receive a share of $13.8 million from the Global Environment Facility if the number of rhinos increases. The return would be based on a sliding scale, and if growth reaches or exceeds four percent, investors receive the entire “success payment.”
“What we’re looking to do here is really change that risk allocation and say is there a way that we can pass some of that project performance… (and) risk to someone else other than governments and donors,” said Michael Bennet, head of market solutions and structured finance at the bank.
While boosting the rhino population is the primary goal of this bond, there are many positive benefits to the community, bank officials said.
“The nickname is the Rhino bond, but it’s about so much more than that. It also has real tangible benefits to the communities and incentives to protect land,” said Heike Reichelt, head of investor relations and sustainable finance at the World Bank Treasury.
The Rhino Bond – to Save South Africa’s Rhinos! Written by Brent Lindeque
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter
The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
going through the Pondoland at 04h00 I listened to the voice note from Chris, a friend of mine who had invited me to join him on a MTB ride from Mboyti to Port Edward. Having hiked and run this section a few times before I was keen to experience it by bike, a sport I […]
When I first began studying nutrition in 2009 there was pretty much no mention of make your gut healthy. I TOOK THE DEEP DIVE INTO NUTRITION TO TRY AND HELP MY OWN HEALTH AND IN PARTICULAR MY MENTAL HEALTH. Since then a lot has changed and most of us now know that to maintain good […]
In his new book, “Can’t Hurt Me,” David Goggins, who many call the “toughest man alive,” recalls how he overcame a difficult childhood to become a Navy SEAL. He sits down with Craig Melvin to discuss the lessons he learned about the body’s capabilities. READ FULL ARTICLE Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and […]
Do you remember THE BAIT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK and the first time you were disappointed by a large organisation? My earliest memory of corporate greed (we all have those, right?) was what I recall being a few months after Smarties Mini Eggs were launched in South Africa. As a lifelong fan of the traditional […]
Something about being Attracted to the PAST seems much more romantic than the future so Are you more attracted to the PAST or the FUTURE?. Maybe it’s because the past is a time we can look back on with nostalgia, or perhaps it’s because the future is an unknown quantity. Whatever the reason, it seems […]
3 Ways to Tap into Emotion During a Pitch and The power of emotion is something that has a universal appeal and can breathe life into simple cold facts. Have you ever pitched something you knew was great, only to have it shot down? Of course you have. We all have. And though the rejection […]
When I am working from home, one of my favorite places to go when I need a break is my daughter’s apiary (bee yard). I am absolutely fascinated by these amazing creatures and WHAT YOU CAN LEARN. Between their work ethic and how they function together as a colony, I think I could sit and […]
I once saw a cartoon meme that really caught my attention. A Father was chatting to his son. He was explaining the difference between being interested in success at school versus being committed to success at school. So Are You a Chicken, or a Pig? “Take your breakfast as an example, my boy,” the Father […]
No results available
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME