Zambia’s Wildlife Conservation: Harnessing Data for Sustainable Development and Growth

Zambia’s wildlife sector is a cornerstone of the national economy, especially in terms of tourism, conservation, and community livelihoods.

Zambia, known for its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity, plays a crucial role in Africa's wildlife conservation efforts. With over 20 national parks and 36 game management areas (GMAs), Zambia’s protected areas cover roughly 30% of the country's total land area, offering sanctuary to some of the continent's most iconic wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, and more than 750 species of birds. These protected areas are not just crucial for conserving biodiversity but are also vital for Zambia’s economy, providing significant employment opportunities, food security, and climate resilience. However, for decades, data limitations have hindered a comprehensive understanding of the value of these conservation areas, limiting their inclusion in national development plans and policy frameworks.

In response to these challenges, Zambia is working to revamp its Wildlife and Protected Areas Accounts (WPAA) under the Zambia Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Program, a collaboration between the Zambian government, the World Bank’s Global Program for Sustainability (GPS), and other key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE), the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). The primary goal of the WPAA is to provide a more systematic, data-driven approach to assess the economic contributions, biodiversity trends, and sustainability of Zambia’s protected areas. This update is designed to ensure that the value of conservation is better integrated into national economic planning, policymaking, and broader development dialogues.

Addressing the Data Gaps in Zambia’s Wildlife Conservation

Zambia’s wildlife sector is a cornerstone of the national economy, especially in terms of tourism, conservation, and community livelihoods. Nature-based tourism alone contributes to over 7% of the country’s GDP, with protected areas serving as significant drivers of rural economies. Popular destinations like South Luangwa National Park, renowned for its leopards and pioneering walking safaris, attract tens of thousands of visitors annually, generating millions of dollars in tourism revenue. Similarly, Kafue National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Africa, and Lower Zambezi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also contribute significantly to Zambia’s tourism sector.

Despite these successes, key data gaps persist, including limited understanding of visitor trends, tourism spending, and employment linkages within protected areas. Without this comprehensive data, policymakers face difficulties in formulating informed strategies for the sustainable growth of Zambia's tourism sector and its integration into national development plans. The updated WPAA will bridge these gaps, tracking the flow of revenue from conservation fees, private sector investments, and economic benefits that directly accrue to local communities.

The Economic and Ecological Importance of Updating the WPAA

The long-term viability of Zambia’s wildlife depends on more than just conservation efforts—it requires accurate data that can guide policy decisions and financial investments. The updated WPAA will play a pivotal role in tracking wildlife population trends, monitoring habitat loss, and identifying changes in land use that may threaten conservation areas. For instance, illegal poaching and encroachment for agricultural purposes pose significant threats to Zambia’s protected areas, endangering species such as elephants, buffaloes, and big cats.

The WPAA will address these issues by systematically collecting and analyzing data on key wildlife populations through aerial surveys, ranger reports, and satellite imagery. It will also track the impacts of poaching and illegal wildlife trade, which target high-value species like elephants and rhinos for ivory and bushmeat. Additionally, the accounts will help Zambia identify priority areas for anti-poaching efforts and resource allocation, ensuring that conservation efforts are both efficient and strategic.

One of the most significant aspects of updating the WPAA will be its role in fostering community-based natural resource management. Over 1.5 million Zambians live in or around GMAs and depend on wildlife-based income, sustainable hunting quotas, and tourism-related jobs for their livelihoods. The WPAA will assess how revenue from protected areas is being shared with local communities and highlight policy gaps that hinder equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. This focus on inclusive development is essential for reducing human-wildlife conflict and incentivizing sustainable land-use practices, all while improving the livelihoods of people living in close proximity to protected areas.

Enhancing Climate Resilience and Policy Integration

The WPAA will also have significant implications for climate change adaptation and policy integration. By capturing the carbon sequestration potential of Zambia’s forests and wetlands, the accounts will provide valuable data for Zambia’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. This data will support climate resilience strategies, particularly in the context of Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan (8-NDP), the National Climate Change Policy, and national biodiversity strategies.

Zambia’s commitment to sustainable development is also reflected in the GREAT Transformational Development Program (GREAT TDP), a government-led initiative aimed at landscape-level conservation and sustainable resource management. Through the NCA framework, the WPAA will inform the GREAT TDP’s objectives of promoting green growth, sustainable land-use planning, and the diversification of rural livelihoods. As part of these efforts, Zambia aims to attract climate finance by leveraging protected area data to support green bond issuances and other conservation investment opportunities.

Strengthening Zambia’s Role in Global Conservation

The updated WPAA is poised to position Zambia as a regional leader in sustainable environmental governance. By providing accurate, data-driven insights into the economic and ecological importance of protected areas, Zambia will be better equipped to make informed decisions about conservation and economic development. This, in turn, will support the integration of wildlife and biodiversity considerations into national policy, ensuring that Zambia’s natural assets are recognized as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable development.

In partnership with WWF, the World Bank, and various government institutions, the updated WPAA will be finalized in 2025, with training sessions and technical workshops to ensure that the data collected can be integrated into decision-making platforms and economic models. Through these efforts, Zambia is on track to ensure that its conservation strategies not only protect its rich biodiversity but also contribute to the broader goals of green growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development for its people.

Conclusion: A Vision for Zambia’s Sustainable Future

Zambia’s commitment to updating its Wildlife and Protected Areas Accounts under the NCA program is a significant step forward in realizing the full potential of its natural capital. By integrating conservation into national economic planning and policy, Zambia is creating a more sustainable and inclusive future, where the economic benefits of wildlife conservation flow directly to local communities, while also contributing to global biodiversity and climate goals. The country’s approach to conservation is a model for other nations, demonstrating that preserving nature can go hand-in-hand with economic growth and the well-being of future generations.