Through its collaboration with Tusk, ekko is enabling banks, merchants and payment providers around the world to embed new conservation-centric dimensions into their products or services. Moving forward, businesses can empower their customers to support animal conservation projects across the globe, allowing them to donate benefits accrued through ekko towards projects of this nature.

As part of the partnership, ekko and Tusk have curated a portfolio of African conservation projects that businesses can now support as they deploy ekko’s infrastructure to their end consumer. The portfolio consists of a range of projects spanning 13 nations and varied specialisms, including anti-poaching, conservation technology and community-driven conservation, as well as initiatives that support some of the most threatened species in the world like pangolin and mountain gorilla.

One such example is CLAWS, a project that combines cutting-edge technology for lion conservation and protecting local livestock without risking animal lives. By undertaking science-based projects, the organisation has been helping to reduce conflict between people and predators since 2014. Thanks to ekko and Tusk, the organisation will now receive additional backing to support this important effort. 

Other projects included in the ekko and Tusk’s portfolio are South African based vulture conservation organisation VulPro, Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and Painted Dog Conservation, Zimbabwe. Together, the two companies are committed to amplifying conservation projects, which help to preserve critical habitats, protect endangered species, combat the illegal wildlife trade, empower local communities and promote environmental education. 

Speaking on the partnership, Oli Cook, CEO and co-founder of ekko commented: “The importance of this collaboration cannot be understated in the context of the sustainability movement. The intricate balance of animals, natural landscapes, and indigenous communities forms an essential pillar of the global ecosystem. Alongside Tusk, we share a commitment to nurture and safeguard our planet.”

Oli continued: “Fintech has an incredibly exciting role to play in our global challenge to be more sustainable. Combining forces with the incredible teams at Tusk to bring sustainability to every payment in the world has the potential to make a seismic impact on one of the most important challenges facing the global community.”

Speaking on the partnership, Dan Bucknell, Executive Director at Tusk commented: “Tusk is thrilled to join forces with ekko. Our shared mission is clear: to create profound, lasting impacts that benefit both the vibrant communities and the diverse wildlife of Africa. This partnership signifies a bold step forward in our continued commitment to the continent’s enduring legacy.”

Charlie Mayhew OBE, founder of Tusk, added “The emerging potential of embedded fintech’s role in funding conservation is exciting to witness. This is a really promising partnership and we look forward to collaborating with ekko on the journey to a sustainable future for businesses and consumers.”

A renowned leader in the global conservation movement, Tusk has pioneered hundreds of successful conservation initiatives in more than 20 countries in the past three decades. By partnering with this leading light, ekko has further underlined its burgeoning reputation as a true innovator in the growing fintech for good movement.