•Angelique Kidjo and Burna Boy
Some of Africa’s biggest music stars have teamed up to launch a new campaign calling for an end to the illegal bushmeat trade and stronger efforts to protect the continent’s endangered wildlife.
The campaign, backed by the African Wildlife Initiative and several global conservation groups, features music legends such as Burna Boy (Nigeria), Youssou N’Dour (Senegal), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), and Sauti Sol (Kenya), among others.
These artistes are using their platforms to raise awareness about the devastating impact of poaching, habitat destruction, and the illicit trade in wild animals on Africa’s rich biodiversity.
In a joint statement released yesterday, the musicians emphasised the need to preserve Africa’s unique animal species for future generations, stressing that wildlife conservation is essential to the continent’s cultural identity, tourism, and environmental sustainability.
“We are losing elephants, pangolins, great apes, and other majestic animals to greed and ignorance. This is not just about animals, it is about our heritage, our health, and our future,” the statement read.
The campaign will include a continent-wide media tour, public service announcements, musical collaborations, and community outreach programmes aimed at educating local populations about the dangers of wildlife exploitation.
Burna Boy said he’s proud to be part of a cause that “protects Africa’s identity and secures its natural legacy for future generations.”
Angelique Kidjo described the campaign as “a moral responsibility,” noting that the illegal bushmeat trade not only endangers species but also poses health risks, including the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The initiative has also garnered support from African Union officials, environmental activists, and youth groups, who see it as a crucial step in shifting public attitudes and influencing policy reforms.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Africa loses thousands of species each year to poaching and trafficking, with many of them facing extinction if urgent action is not taken.
The music icons have pledged to continue advocating through their art and influence until concrete results are achieved in protecting Africa’s wildlife heritage.
