KAZA TFCA approves game plan to spur tourism

Already the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) transfrontier conservation area, one of the more advanced in its process of integration within SADC, has been changing both the ranges of the wildlife and the tourism potential.

Rutendo Nyeve

Victoria Falls Reporter

THE Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) has approved several key strategies aimed at strengthening policy harmonisation for tourism, conservation and community development across the five partner states that include Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This comes as Zimbabwe has taken over the chairmanship of the KAZA TFCA following the successful hosting of the 15th Ministerial Committee Meeting held in Livingstone, Zambia, last Friday.

In a joint communiqué released after the meeting, the ministers announced the approval of four critical frameworks.

These include an updated Elephant Action Plan incorporating findings from the 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey and the Elephant Movement and Connectivity policy brief; a comprehensive Trans-Boundary Human Elephant Conflict management framework for the Zambezi-Mosi Oa Tunya Wildlife Dispersal Area, a standardised sampling protocol for field veterinarians and assistants and the establishment of a KAZA Carnivore Conservation Sub Working Group to align with existing policy harmonisation proposals.

“The Ministerial Committee approved four (4) of the following Strategies and frameworks: The update of the Elephant Action Plan, which incorporates recommendations of the 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey and the Elephant Movement and Connectivity policy brief.

“The Zambezi-Mosi Oa Tunya Wildlife Dispersal Area (WDA) Trans Boundary Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) management framework — a comprehensive framework for addressing HEC through cross-border coordination, community engagement, and technical solutions,” reads the communiqué.

“Sampling protocol for field veterinarians and assistants — a practical resource, that now becomes part of the suite of KAZA TFCA Standard Operating Procedures, protocols and guidelines developed to facilitate harmonisation of policies, strategies, and practices. The establishment of a KAZA Carnivore Conservation Sub Working Group to align with the 2013 policy harmonisation proposals on species and other Conservation Sub Working Groups”.

Outgoing chairperson of the KAZA Ministerial Committee and Zambian Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation during his opening address.

He highlighted the need to expand initiatives such as the KAZA UniVisa to facilitate seamless travel across the region, secure sustainable financing for conservation and climate adaptation, and deepen engagement with local communities to ensure they become partners and beneficiaries in conservation efforts.

“Let us focus on strengthening policy harmonisation for tourism, conservation and community development; expanding initiatives such as the KAZA UNIVISA to make travel seamless across our region; securing sustainable financing for conservation and climate adaptation; deepening our engagement with communities to ensure they are partners and beneficiaries of our shared conservation mission; and enhancing wildlife security and intelligence sharing to combat poaching and illegal trade,” said Minister Sikumba.

The meeting also noted significant financial and administrative progress, including unqualified financial statements for 2023 and the Phase III grant from KfW, as well as the ongoing recognition of KAZA TFCA as an international organisation in Botswana.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to contributing to the KAZA Fund to strengthen the Secretariat and support its operations.

Additional collaborations with international bodies such as the European Union, IUCN, WWF, and the Wild Bird Trust were acknowledged, with a €5 million grant from the EU set to support priority interventions including conservation strategy development, updated integrated development plans, and sustainable finance solutions.

The Ministerial Committee congratulated Zimbabwe for successfully hosting the Ramsar COP15 and the SADC TFCAs International Conference and Summit, and commended Zambia for its exemplary tenure as coordination country.

Zimbabwe now assumes the chairmanship, with expectations high for continued regional integration and conservation success.

The meeting also amplified calls for unity and common purpose in multilateral environmental agreements, reflecting the shared vision of the KAZA TFCA partner states to promote sustainable development, wildlife conservation, and community empowerment through deepened regional cooperation.