IGAD and African Parks advance transboundary conservation

From the newsletter

The Boma–Gambella Landscape is home to the largest mammal migration on the planet, comprising several million white-eared kob and the rare Nubian giraffe. Protecting the migration is made harder by the fact that it crosses an international border between South Sudan and Ethiopia. Stakeholders have now taken a major step towards finessing that.

• The Intergovernmental Authority on Development and African Parks Network, an NGO that operates national parks, have signed an agreement to enhance transboundary conservation across the entire affected Boma–Gambella Landscape. Also participating is the European Union as a funder.  

• Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) play a crucial role in ensuring the protection of wildlife and natural resources across political boundaries. While Africa already has 27 TBCAs, there is potential for 8,481 more, covering nearly 2,000,000 km², according to a recent research. 

More details

• The meeting between the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Parks Network (APN) aimed to coordinate conservation efforts and streamline the joint implementation of the EU-funded project. IGAD leads regional coordination through the Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network (HAWEN), while APN oversees the national components in both countries. Their collaboration focuses on reducing wildlife crime and enhancing ecosystem protection.

• Key outcomes included the finalisation of a joint IGAD–APN work plan, the endorsement of Terms of Reference for the Project Steering Committee, and an agreement on the date and venue for the Steering Committee’s inaugural meeting. Improved communication frameworks between stakeholders were also established. Presentations addressed the status of wildlife, conservation governance, and progress in on-the-ground implementation. Delegates discussed the necessity for harmonised information systems and cross-border dialogue.

• Gambella National Park, Ethiopia's largest, spans approximately 4,575 km² and is situated between the Baro and Akobo rivers. Established in 1973, it hosts critical habitats and supports species such as elephants, Nile lechwe, and over 230 bird species. The park is part of the Great Nile Migration route, where up to six million antelopes migrate annually. In December 2024, APN signed a 10-year renewable agreement with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority and Gambella State.

• In South Sudan, a similar agreement was signed in August 2022 for Boma and Bandingilo National Parks. Spanning over three million hectares, this agreement ensures long-term protection through collaboration with the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and the South Sudan Wildlife Service. This transboundary effort represents a strategic shift towards landscape-level conservation.

• The earliest example of a cross-border conservation programme is the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) that spans Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Established in 2011, it covers 106 million acres—approximately the size of France—and protects over 200 mammal species, including nearly half of Africa’s elephants. KAZA integrates protected areas, communal and private lands, and game reserves, supporting biodiversity, tourism, and local livelihoods through collaborative conservation management across national borders.

• Cross-Regional Wildlife Conservation (CRWC) programme, funded by the EU, is another significant transboundary conservation effort. It aims to combat wildlife and forest crime across Eastern and Southern Africa. Launched in response to the 2015 EU study "Larger Than Elephants," it strengthens transboundary conservation areas, enhances law enforcement, and supports community-led conservation efforts. The programme also bolsters anti-trafficking operations at key ports and border points through multi-agency cooperation.

Our take

• For decades, African conservation depended on foreign aid aligned with external agendas. Private investment offers a more enduring alternative, unlocking the vast potential of transboundary conservation across the continent.

• Tourism is emerging as a viable private funding mechanism for conservation and can reduce park overreliance on grants. Strategic investment can help achieve financial independence and resilience.

• The Kenya Wildlife Service exemplifies this model, generating $600,000 in revenue in 2024. Through tourism and government support, KWS funds conservation, community programs, and infrastructure in protected areas across Kenya.

• Rebalancing funding through hybrid models, local investment matched by international support, signals trust in African leadership. Conservation must be co-owned but mostly driven by those closest to the land.