Mozambique’s National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) estimates that each conservation area requires an annual investment of between US$3 million and US$4 million to ensure effective management, biodiversity protection and infrastructure development.
The estimate was presented by ANAC Director-General Pejul Pedro Sebastião Calenga, as quoted by the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM). He explained that current funding remains well below actual requirements. According to Calenga, annual investment per conservation area currently ranges between US$1.5 million and US$2 million, an amount that only covers the minimum operational needs.
“On average, it is necessary to invest between US$3 million and US$4 million per year in each conservation area if we are to create effective conditions for infrastructure development and wildlife management,” he said.
The Director-General noted that the resources currently available account for little more than half of the funding required to ensure efficient management of protected areas. To address this shortfall, the Government continues to rely on support from international partners and philanthropic organizations, while also seeking to attract private investment to accelerate the recovery and development of these areas.
The funding is needed not only to protect biodiversity but also to build and maintain access roads, airstrips and other essential infrastructure. It is also required to combat poaching, manage human-wildlife conflict, acquire monitoring and enforcement equipment, and strengthen human resources.
According to Calenga, Mozambique enjoys a virtually unique competitive advantage in Africa by combining marine and terrestrial attractions located within relatively short distances of one another.
He believes the country is among the few African destinations where visitors can experience both the “Big Five” on land and the marine equivalent, combining beach tourism, diving and safaris in a single trip.
“The key advantage is this comparative and competitive edge that we have in offering two major attractions, both in the marine and terrestrial environments,” he said.
As an example, Calenga highlighted Maputo National Park, where visitors can travel from the coastline to inland areas within minutes, observing marine species such as sharks, rays and dugongs before encountering elephants and other large terrestrial wildlife. He also pointed to Inhambane Province, where beach tourism can be combined with visits to Zinave National Park, creating an integrated ecotourism experience.
According to ANAC, preserving ecosystems is a direct investment in the growth of the tourism sector, as it protects wildlife and natural landscapes while simultaneously improving visitor access. However, most conservation areas are located in remote regions, requiring substantial investment in roads, airstrips, monitoring equipment and tourism infrastructure.
Calenga believes these investments will enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Mozambique’s competitiveness in the international ecotourism market.
To illustrate the scale of the resources required for ecosystem restoration, he revealed that Zinave National Park has received approximately US$15 million in investment over the past three years. The funding has been used to restore wildlife populations through programmes supported by international partners and philanthropic organizations, particularly the Peace Parks Foundation, which co-manages the park.
Despite the progress achieved, the ANAC Director-General acknowledged that public funding and support from development partners remain insufficient to meet the needs of Mozambique’s entire network of conservation areas.
Source: Diário Económico
