Communities begin earning from Banhine National Park

From the newsletter

For the first time since its establishment over 50 years ago, Banhine National Park in Mozambique is sharing 20% of its revenue directly with surrounding communities. A cheque for $10,000 was presented to organised groups through local leaders. Mozambican law entitles communities to this share, marking a significant milestone in local engagement in conservation.

• In Zinave National Park, Mozambique, a second $10,000 revenue share funded the construction of teacher houses and the establishment of 40 beehives. In Nigeria's Gashaka Gumti Park, 450 women in Adamawa received livelihood support and a new women's centre, enhancing conservation-linked community engagement across the continent.

• While this approach signifies progress in formalising community participation, the structure remains predominantly top-down, with limited revenue and high expectations.

More details

• At the handover event, community leader Arlindo Fenias Mondlane outlined immediate plans. Top priority is drilling a borehole for clean water access during drought. If that proves unfeasible, the funds will be used to purchase cattle, a vital asset for many families in the area. Mondlane described the revenue share as a long-awaited achievement.

• To access the funds, communities had to formalise their operations. Seventeen community committees were officially registered. Members acquired identity documents and opened bank accounts to manage funds transparently. Pejul Calenga, Director-General of Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas, said the initiative recognises communities as essential to conservation efforts.

• The programme is supported by Peace Parks Foundation. Its Programme Manager, Antony Alexander, noted that donor funds are currently covering the community revenue share until park income becomes self-sustaining. The goal is long-term conservation through community empowerment and visible benefits.

• At Banhine, infrastructure is expanding in line with community integration goals. Developments include five new management houses, two boreholes, one serving Tchai Tchai village, a solar power system, and new ranger housing to support up to 44 rangers. Two livestock water systems are also in progress.

• Meanwhile, in Nigeria, 450 women from Toungo in Adamawa State have received livelihood support from the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation. A new women’s centre was commissioned, and a trade fair was held for beneficiaries to showcase their goods. The initiative supports 13 women’s savings and loan groups.

• The National Park Service confirmed over 100,000 cattle have been vaccinated across the Gashaka Gumti National Park. More than 70 rangers have been trained and hired. ANI Foundation says women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihoods are critical to long-term conservation in Nigeria’s protected areas.

Our take

• Revenue-sharing and livelihood support may reduce dependence on park resources, but unless conflict resolution mechanisms like compensation for crop or livestock loss are built into the model, resentment can persist

• If park-generated revenue cannot eventually support these payments, communities may disengage, especially if benefits stall, shrink and if money paid cannot cater for damages by wild animals.

• The parks therefore need to diversify their revenue streams. Given the scale of local needs, current funds are too small to ease pressure on resources, risking symbolic rather than transformative community engagement.