Zimbabwe Launches Biodiversity Finance Initiative to Boost Nature Conservation

The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, has launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) a landmark programme aimed at unlocking innovative financing for nature conservation.

The event was attended by delegates from various non-governmental organisations, embassies, and banks, highlighting a collaborative effort towards enhancing biodiversity conservation in the country. Photocredit- Kudakwashe Emma-Louise Zihonye

The initiative, launched in Harare recently under the theme “Investing in Nature, Investing in Our Future,” seeks to bridge the biodiversity funding gap and help government identify, measure and mobilise finance for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use aligned with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It also aims to ensure that environmental protection directly benefits rural communities, women and youth.

Speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative Ayodale Odusola, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr Challa Getachew said the launch marked the beginning of a new chapter in sustainable development financing for Zimbabwe.

Delegates gather for a group photo at the launch of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) in Harare, Zimbabwe. united in their commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation efforts in the country. Photocredit- Kudakwashe Emma-Louise Zihonye

“Through this initiative, Zimbabwe joins over 90 countries implementing the UNDP GEF BIOFIN methodology, a proven framework to identify how much a nation spends on biodiversity, how much is needed, and what financing mechanisms can bridge the gap. In doing so, Zimbabwe is sending a powerful message: protecting biodiversity is not a cost; it is an investment in national prosperity,” he said.

He noted that Zimbabwe’s forests, wetlands and wildlife are the foundation of its economy, supporting agriculture, tourism and energy, yet face growing threats from climate change and habitat loss.

“Finance alone is not enough,” he added. “It must reach the people who are the custodians of nature our rural communities, women and youth groups, and local authorities. When they derive real economic value from protecting ecosystems, conservation becomes sustainable.”

Mr Getachew reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe in mobilising innovative financial instruments such as green bonds, payment for ecosystem services and debt for nature swaps, while integrating biodiversity considerations into fiscal and national planning systems.

“Investing in nature is investing in our shared future. The choices we make now will determine whether Zimbabwe’s rivers continue to flow, its forests continue to breathe, and its children inherit a country richer, not poorer, in natural capital,” he said.

In her keynote address, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu described the launch as “a strategic milestone in our national development trajectory.”

Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu giving official launch address.Photocredit – Kudakwashe Emma-Louise Zihonye

“Zimbabwe is endowed with exceptional natural capital from our diverse ecosystems and iconic wildlife to our fertile soils and resilient communities. These assets underpin key sectors of our economy, including agriculture, tourism, energy and water, and are central to our aspirations under Vision 2030,” she said.

Dr Ndlovu highlighted that while biodiversity conservation contributes to national growth, financing remains a major hurdle.

“Conservation is costly. Zimbabwe bears a significant financial burden in managing elephant populations that exceed ecological carrying capacity. Unlocking the responsible value of our wildlife stockpiles is not about profit it is about plugging the critical funding gap required to protect our species, mitigate human wildlife conflict and empower frontline communities,” she said.

She further emphasised that BIOFIN is not merely a technical exercise but a people centred endeavour, designed to ensure that communities derive tangible benefits from protecting the environment.

“BIOFIN seeks to ensure that communities derive tangible benefits from conserving nature. It promotes the empowerment of women and youth through biodiversity based enterprises, the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems and the safeguarding of ecosystem services that sustain life and livelihoods,” Dr Ndlovu said.

Zimbabwe’s long standing CAMPFIRE programme was cited as a model example of community driven conservation, devolving authority and financial benefits to rural communities and transforming biodiversity into a profitable and sustainable land use option.

As part of its goals, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative aims to analyse policies and laws influencing biodiversity finance, strengthen national capacity and stakeholder coordination, enhance gender inclusion, and estimate the financial resources required to achieve Zimbabwe’s biodiversity goals.

By linking environmental sustainability with inclusive economic growth, BIOFIN offers a path for communities to thrive while protecting the natural ecosystems that sustain them.

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