Kenya and Uganda agree cross-border conservation

From the newsletter

A 74,000-hectare ecosystem around Mount Elgon in Kenya and Uganda will become a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under a deal signed by the two countries’ governments. This is to enhance protection and sustainable management, including the reinforcement of conservation efforts for the water tower and biodiversity hotspot that both nations share.

• Transboundary conservation is becoming increasingly common where countries share natural resources. They collaborate to manage them wisely, benefiting all parties involved. The approach has proven effective in improving conservation including in the Zambezi Basin.

• Research released in September 2023 identified 8,481 potential transboundary conservation areas, covering nearly 2,000,000 km².

More details

• The Mt. Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on March 30, 2024, at the Suam border in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. Doreen Katusiime, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, and Silvia Museiya, Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments. The MoU establishes institutional frameworks for joint management, promotes biodiversity protection, and strengthens conservation policies for the transboundary ecosystem.

• The agreement also addresses issues such as land degradation, plastic waste pollution, and climate change impacts while promoting water resource management and biodiversity restoration. The Mount Elgon ecosystem, designated as Africa’s second UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in June 2023, is crucial for carbon sequestration, watershed functions, and habitat preservation. The MoU encourages joint tourism initiatives and eco-economic development, ensuring that local communities benefit from conservation efforts.

• An example of a cross-border conservation programme is the Cross-Regional Wildlife Conservation (CRWC) programme, funded by the European Union (EU). This collaborative effort 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.

• In Kenya, the CRWC programme has supported conservation in Tsavo West National Park, providing initial funding of USD 300,000 for ranger patrols and park operations. The UNODC has also supplied 180 tyres for Kenya Wildlife Service vehicles and 15 motorcycles for rapid response teams addressing human-wildlife conflict. Furthermore, the programme has trained 60 KWS officers in wildlife crime scene management. By fostering cross-border collaboration, the initiative strengthens regional conservation efforts and disrupts illegal wildlife trade networks.

• The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) is another significant transboundary conservation effort 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.

• The Virunga Transboundary Conservation initiative involves the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, focusing on the Greater Virunga Landscape. Established to protect biodiversity, particularly mountain gorillas, it promotes cooperation despite regional conflicts. Efforts include joint patrols, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable tourism, contributing to the reduction of deforestation and the prevention of extinction for some of the world's last remaining populations of endangered mountain gorillas. 

Our take

• Africa’s vast landscapes are home to migratory species that require continuous habitats. Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) play a crucial role in ensuring their protection across political boundaries. 

• Shared conservation responsibilities foster international cooperation, strengthening diplomatic ties and aiding conflict resolution. Countries can benefit from pooling resources, expertise, and funding to manage protected areas more effectively. Furthermore, TBCAs promote sustainable tourism, generating employment and economic incentives for local communities.

• The future of conservation in Africa depends on the expansion of TBCAs. Although there are challenges related to establishment costs and governance, coordinated efforts can lead to long-term ecological and economic benefits.