The threats to Africa' s protected areas are numerous. Climate change, economic and social dislocation, weak institutions and poverty are amongst the greatest challenges to efforts to protect biodiversity (Tukahirwa 2002: I , Dudley et al. 2005). An increasing factor experienced by African governments is the pressure emanating from the extractive industries (mining, timber, fishing, oil and gas) to provide concessions for these activities to take place irrespective of prior commitments to biodiversity conservation Oones (ed.) 2004: 23–4, Standing and Van Vuuren 2006: 8–13). Part of the reason for this is the short term flow of benefits to sections of the elite, particularly what Fanon called the ‘comprador bourgeoisie’, the intermediaries whose profits rely on foreign investment (Fanon, 1963).