Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a landmark programme designed to strengthen conservation funding, promote sustainable natural resource use and drive inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the official launch in Harare yesterday, the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, said the initiative marked a strategic milestone in Zimbabwe’s development.
Minister Ndlovu reaffirmed the country’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“Today’s launch represents a strategic milestone in our national development trajectory as we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship and inclusive economic transformation,” she said.
“Zimbabwe is endowed with exceptional natural capital, from our diverse ecosystems and wildlife to our fertile soils and resilient communities yet the financial resources to protect these remain insufficient.”
Minister Ndlovu said BIOFIN provided a framework to close the funding gap for biodiversity conservation by mobilising both domestic and international resources.
“Through BIOFIN, we shall undertake a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity expenditures, identify financing needs, and develop targeted solutions,” she said.
“Conservation is costly. Zimbabwe bears a significant financial burden in managing elephant populations that exceed ecological carrying capacity.
“Unlocking the responsible value of our wildlife stockpiles is not about profit — it is about plugging the funding gap required to protect our species and empower frontline communities.”
She said BIOFIN aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030), Vision 2030 and global frameworks such as the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement.
UNDP Deputy Country Representative Mr Challa Getachew praised Zimbabwe for joining more than 90 countries implementing the UNDP-led BIOFIN methodology and described the move as a bold step towards integrating nature into economic planning.
“Protecting biodiversity is not a cost — it is an investment in national prosperity,” he said.
“BIOFIN will enable Zimbabwe to identify funding gaps, design innovative financing instruments such as green bonds and payments for ecosystem services and catalyse private sector participation.”
Mr Getachew said for biodiversity financing to be effective, it must reach those who live closest to nature.
“Finance alone is not enough. It must reach the people in our rural communities; women and youth who are the true custodians of nature. When they derive economic value from protecting ecosystems, conservation becomes sustainable,” he said.
Chief economist in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Mr Tinashe Mashavave said BIOFIN would help Zimbabwe integrate biodiversity into fiscal and economic frameworks.
“BIOFIN offers a critical opportunity to address challenges like habitat loss, species decline and climate change by mobilising innovative finance solutions,” he said.
“This initiative will help us develop a national biodiversity taxonomy and mainstream biodiversity into national planning and budgeting processes.”
Mr Mashavave said the Ministry of Finance was committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative.
The launch of BIOFIN marked a giant step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to build a Biodiversity Economy, one that turns conservation into a driver of job creation, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
