Ramaphosa Champions Transfrontier Conservation Areas for African Unity and Biodiversity

President Cyril Ramaphosa has championed transfrontier conservation areas as a model that can foster African intra-governmental unity and boost tourism while safeguarding biodiversity across boundaries. The President addressed the launch of the Africa Keystone Partnership held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York. “Nature knows no political barriers and we are united in a shared commitment to preserve nature for present and future generations. Nature is an intrinsic part of our cultural and social identity. It is vital to human well-being and progress,” he said. The Africa Keystone Partnership advocates for the protection of some 162 additional areas in Africa. “The 162 areas in Africa that are suggested for additional protection have been identified based on irreplaceability, connectivity, ecological integrity and resilience. Some of these areas are already supported by African Parks.

However, all have funding and resource gaps. We have therefore come here to listen to the proposals on the African Keystone Partnership and to say that we are keen on further dialogue,” he said. The President reflected on South Africa’s own conservation efforts in the Southern African region. “As South Africa, we have a proud reputation as a leader in sustainable and responsible nature conservation, as is our duty as one of the world’s mega-biodiverse countries.

Over the past 25 years, in the Southern African region, we have undertaken a remarkable journey and witnessed the many achievements of our Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Programme. These wildlife areas that have been established across national borders have a transformative impact on conservation, regional integration and sustainable development,” President Ramaphosa said. Expanding further on the TFCA Programme, the President said these areas have also sparked additional benefits with the idea being: “Nature knows no borders”.

The TFCAs in Southern Africa include: |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Namibia and South Africa). Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe). Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa). Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Areas (Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe). “The Transfrontier Conservation Areas serve as critical ecological corridors, enabling the free movement of wildlife and preserving biodiversity across borders. These areas have unlocked sustainable tourism opportunities. Investments in conservation economies have created jobs, improved livelihoods and empowered local communities to become stewards of their natural heritage.

These parks succeed when they are led by Africans and benefit the people who live near the parks. Such parks symbolise unity, cooperation and shared responsibility among our nations,” President Ramaphosa said. He expressed confidence that the 162 earmarked areas will “serve the same noble purpose”. “Let us continue to champion this model of conservation, integration and development for the benefit of our people, for our ecosystems and for future generations,” President Ramaphosa said.

Launch of the Africa Keystone Partnership at UNGA

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his address at the inaugural launch of the Africa Keystone Partnership on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on 22 September 2025. The partnership, a collaborative initiative involving African governments, conservation organisations like African Parks, and international funders, aims to safeguard 162 critical ecological areas across the continent. These sites were selected based on criteria such as irreplaceability—unique biodiversity hotspots not found elsewhere—connectivity to link fragmented habitats, ecological integrity to maintain natural processes, and resilience against climate change impacts like droughts and floods.

African Parks, a non-profit founded in 2000 and headquartered in Johannesburg, already manages several of these areas, including Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liwonde National Park in Malawi. However, funding gaps hinder effective protection, with estimates suggesting billions needed for anti-poaching, community engagement, and infrastructure. The partnership seeks to bridge this through public-private investments, aligning with global goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, which targets protecting 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

Ramaphosa’s participation underscores South Africa’s leadership in African conservation diplomacy. As a mega-biodiverse nation—home to 10% of the world’s plant species and iconic wildlife like the Big Five—South Africa has long advocated for transboundary approaches. The president’s call for “further dialogue” signals intent to mobilise resources, potentially through forums like the African Union or BRICS, where environmental cooperation is growing.

South Africa’s TFCA Programme: A Model for Success

South Africa has been a pioneer in transfrontier conservation areas since the early 2000s, establishing models that transcend political borders to protect shared ecosystems. Over the past 25 years, the country has collaborated with neighbours to create vast protected landscapes, fostering not just biodiversity but also economic and social benefits. “As South Africa, we have a proud reputation as a leader in sustainable and responsible nature conservation, as is our duty as one of the world’s mega-biodiverse countries,” Ramaphosa noted.

The TFCAs in Southern Africa include several flagship projects:

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Namibia and South Africa): Spanning 6,000 square kilometres of desert landscapes, this park protects unique succulent flora and supports communities through eco-tourism ventures like guided hikes and cultural experiences with the Nama people.

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe): Covering 35,000 square kilometres, it links Kruger National Park with Gonarezhou and Limpopo, enabling elephant migrations and generating over R1 billion annually in tourism revenue, creating jobs in hospitality and guiding.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa): This 38,000 square kilometre arid wonderland is home to black-maned lions and gemsbok, promoting cross-border research on climate adaptation while boosting local economies through photographic safaris.

Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Areas (Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe): Focused on the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, it emphasises archaeological sites like Mapungubwe, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and sustainable farming practices for riverside communities.

Additional TFCAs mentioned in regional frameworks include the Maloti-Drakensberg Park (Lesotho and South Africa), protecting the uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountains with their ancient San rock art, and the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini), which safeguards coastal forests and marine habitats.

These areas embody the principle that “Nature knows no borders,” as Ramaphosa stated. They serve as ecological corridors, allowing species like elephants and rhinos to roam freely, reducing inbreeding and enhancing genetic diversity. This connectivity is vital in the face of climate change, where fragmented habitats lead to species loss—Africa has lost 30% of its biodiversity since 1970, per WWF reports.

Economic and Social Benefits of TFCAs

Beyond conservation, TFCAs drive sustainable development. “These wildlife areas that have been established across national borders have a transformative impact on conservation, regional integration and sustainable development,” the president said. Investments in these “conservation economies” have created thousands of jobs—over 10,000 in the Great Limpopo alone—through tourism, anti-poaching patrols, and community enterprises like beekeeping and craft-making.

Tourism revenue from TFCAs exceeds R5 billion annually for South Africa, attracting international visitors for safaris and cultural immersions. Local communities benefit from revenue-sharing models, where portions of park fees fund schools, clinics, and water projects. For instance, in the Kgalagadi, San communities receive training as trackers, preserving indigenous knowledge while earning livelihoods.

Socially, TFCAs promote peace and unity, resolving border disputes through joint management. The SADC Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement, signed in 1999, facilitates this, with South Africa as a signatory. They also empower women through roles in eco-tourism and conservation, aligning with Agenda 2063’s goals for gender equality.

Challenges persist: human-wildlife conflict, where elephants raid crops, requires mitigation like beehive fences. Poaching, driven by demand for rhino horn, has led to over 400 rhinos killed in 2024, per DEA data. Climate change exacerbates droughts, straining water resources shared across borders.

The 162 Additional Areas: A Continent-Wide Vision

Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the 162 earmarked areas serving similar purposes. These sites, identified by experts from organisations like the IUCN and WWF, span biomes from savannas to rainforests. Examples include the Kavango-Zambezi TFCA expansion in southern Africa, the Greater Virunga Landscape in East Africa, and the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex in West Africa. “The 162 areas in Africa that are suggested for additional protection have been identified based on irreplaceability, connectivity, ecological integrity and resilience,” the president noted.

Many face threats like deforestation (Africa loses 4 million hectares annually) and illegal wildlife trade (valued at $20 billion globally). Funding gaps—estimated at $10 billion for Africa—hinder protection, with African Parks managing 22 parks but needing more support. The partnership aims to attract investments from philanthropists, governments, and corporations, leveraging carbon credits and eco-tourism.

South Africa’s involvement could include technical expertise from SANParks, which manages 19 national parks covering 4 million hectares. Ramaphosa’s call for “further dialogue” may lead to commitments at forums like COP30 in 2025.

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