Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe has launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) aimed at mobilising money to support conservation and sustainable use of the country’s natural resources, while advancing national economic growth and resilience.
Speaking at the launch in Harare today, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, described BIOFIN as a strategic milestone in the nation’s development path.
Minister Ndlovu reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive economic transformation.
“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.
“BIOFIN provides us with a robust framework to identify financing needs, assess biodiversity expenditures, and mobilise both domestic and international resources.”
She said the initiative aligns well with the National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030), the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and SADC’s Agenda 2063, reflecting Zimbabwe’s goal of integrating biodiversity into all sectors of the economy.
UNDP Deputy Country Representative, Mr Challa Getachew, commended Zimbabwe for joining over 90 countries implementing the UNDP-led BIOFIN methodology.
“Protecting biodiversity is not a cost — it is an investment in national prosperity,” he said.
“BIOFIN will help Zimbabwe identify funding gaps and create innovative financing instruments such as green bonds and payment for ecosystem services.”
He said the initiative supports Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy and biodiversity finance must reach rural communities, women and youths — the custodians of natural ecosystems.
The chief economist in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Mr Tinashe Mashavave, said Treasury fully supports the BIOFIN initiative.
“BIOFIN offers a critical opportunity to address challenges such as habitat loss and climate change through innovative finance solutions,” he said.
“It will help us develop a national biodiversity taxonomy and ensure biodiversity is mainstreamed in economic decision-making.”
The launch marked a major step toward building a biodiversity economy that contributes directly to job creation, climate resilience and sustainable development, ensuring that nature’s wealth becomes a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
