Zambia, with its diverse ecosystems and vast protected areas, remains a key hub for conservation in Africa. Approximately 30% of Zambia's land is dedicated to 20 national parks and 36 game management areas (GMAs), which are critical habitats for various wildlife species. These natural areas contribute significantly to the country's economy by supporting biodiversity conservation, creating jobs, and aiding in climate resilience. However, the lack of comprehensive data has often caused these areas to be undervalued in national accounting systems, limiting their inclusion in policy and planning.
Addressing these challenges, Zambia is enhancing its Wildlife and Protected Areas Accounts (WPAA) through the Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Program. This initiative is supported by the World Bank’s Global Program for Sustainability and involves collaboration with local entities like the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the Zambia Statistics Agency, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. The WPAA aims to deliver systematic, data-driven insights into the economic and ecological role of Zambia’s protected areas by integrating conservation benefits into economic planning.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has provided technical expertise to Zambia for strengthening the WPAA. By incorporating biodiversity and ecosystem data into economic planning, WWF promotes sustainable land-use practices, helping to attract climate finance. The organization also supports capacity-building for data collection on wildlife populations and trends.
Zambia's wildlife sector is a vital economic element, especially for tourism and community livelihoods. However, data gaps have obscured the sector's full economic and ecological value. Updated accounts are intended to illustrate the economic impact of wildlife tourism, which contributes over 7% of GDP and generates jobs in rural areas. South Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park, and Lower Zambezi National Park are among Zambia's most popular tourist attractions, providing significant revenue and local economic benefits. Yet, these areas remain underfunded in conservation efforts due to a lack of consolidated data on visitor trends and economic contributions.
The WPAA will help fill these data gaps by tracking revenue flows from tourism, investments, and community benefits. This data is crucial for crafting policies to advance sector growth sustainably.
Accurate data collection is essential for the survival of Zambia’s wildlife, enabling proactive conservation management. The WPAA will monitor trends in wildlife populations and habitat changes, addressing challenges like poaching and land-use expansion. The accounts will aid in the strategic distribution of conservation resources and strengthening community-based management.
Integration of this data into national policy will better support conservation initiatives, focusing on climate adaptation and economic gains. This includes informing the 8th National Development Plan, the National Climate Change Policy, and biodiversity strategies. It will also serve the GREAT Transformational Development Program by promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
As Zambia continues to build its Natural Capital Accounting framework, the updated WPAA is positioned to be a foundation for sustainable conservation planning. The collaboration with global and local partners ensures that wildlife and ecosystems are recognized as national assets. The finalization of the updated WPAA is anticipated later in 2025, along with technical training and the integration of findings into economic models. Through these efforts, Zambia aims to lead in environmental governance where conservation aligns with economic growth and inclusive development.