76% of Africa’s wildlife populations have been lost since 1970
HARARE – Africa’s wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the 2024 Living Planet Report, monitored wildlife populations across the continent have declined by an average of 76% since 1970. This World Wildlife Day, attention is turning to a critical but often overlooked issue: financing conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for both nature and humanity.
Without immediate investment, species loss will accelerate, threatening not just ecosystems but also economies that rely on nature. More than 55% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP)—equivalent to an estimated US$58 trillion—depends on nature. In Africa, 80% of tourists visit the continent for its wildlife, fueling an ecotourism industry that sustains local economies and communities. Africa is home to a quarter of the world’s biodiversity, including some of the last big mammal populations such as the Big Five. The growth of ecotourism has turned Africa’s wildlife-safari industry into a US$12.4 billion business. Ensuring the continued sustainable management of natural resources and the preservation of wildlife is vital for expanding the wildlife economy.
Zimbabwe boasts eleven national parks, numerous game reserves, and conservancies that attract visitors from across the globe, eager to experience its diverse wildlife and unspoiled landscapes. The country also has the second-largest population of African elephants, estimated at approximately 80,000.
Tourism plays a vital role in Zimbabwe’s economy. During the 2024 Tourism Month celebrations, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, stated that tourism contributed approximately 5.7% of GDP in 2023 and 3.5% of national employment. The first half of 2024 saw a 27% increase in international arrivals, reaching 751,567 visitors, while tourism receipts surged 24% to US$493 million. The Minister affirmed that the tourism sector “continues to be a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy.”
Peter Knights OBE, CEO of Wild Africa, noted the urgency of conservation financing: “Without nature, we will not survive. Whether it’s countering our carbon footprints, safeguarding watersheds, maintaining jobs in tourism, or ensuring sustainable fishing, investing in conservation in Africa isn’t charity—it’s a necessity. A world without wildlife is not just an ecological disaster—it’s an economic one too.”
Closing the conservation funding gap requires collaboration among governments, businesses, conservation organizations, and individuals. In Zimbabwe, FBC Holdings Limited, has stepped up its climate-related investments by establishing a specialized Climate Finance Department.
Desire Nemashakwe, Head of Climate Finance at FBC Holdings Limited, emphasized: “Protecting our wildlife is an investment in our collective future. By prioritizing sustainable financing models, we can unlock the economic potential of conservation while safeguarding the incredible biodiversity that makes our planet unique.”
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