Mark Shuttleworth, a notable tech entrepreneur, is initiating a unique conservation-linked income program on the island of Príncipe, part of São Tomé and Príncipe. This initiative, run through his nonprofit organization Faya, aims to financially support up to 3,000 residents, which represents around 60% of the adult population on the island. Eligible residents, who must have lived on Príncipe for at least eight years, will receive annual payments of up to 20,000 dobras (approximately $958), distributed quarterly as a 'natural dividend'. In order to qualify for these payments, residents must also pledge to engage in practices that protect the island's biodiversity.

Príncipe is recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, noted for its rich biodiversity and high number of endemic species. Mark Shuttleworth's commitment to the island is not new, as he obtained the Bom Bom resort in 2012 and now owns four hotels through HBD Príncipe. To further support conservation efforts, hotel guests contribute to a €25 nightly conservation levy, which funds various environmental and community projects. The new stipend program will initiate with a three-year pilot phase, requiring an investment of around €15 million, after which the sustainability and potential expansion of the program will be evaluated.

This initiative highlights the increasing trend of linking economic incentives to conservation efforts, aiming to balance the financial needs of local residents with the ecological preservation of unique environments. By engaging the community in biodiversity conservation, Shuttleworth's program seeks to create a model that can possibly be replicated in other regions struggling with similar environmental challenges while ensuring that local populations are economically supported and environmentally responsible.