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Transfrontier Conservation Areas
There are over 220 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) around the world, with 13 located in the SADC region. These 13 are at different stages of development and implementation.
Governments began working together to create TFCAs as far back as the 1930s. The goal was to connect natural landscapes that cross country borders and to improve conservation efforts in shared ecosystems.
Today, about one-third of the world’s richest land-based biodiversity areas are found along international borders
The TFCA Network
The SADC TFCA Network is a community of practice that brings together professionals working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across a wide range of sectors contributing to SADC's regional sustainable rural development programme.
Recognising the shared challenges faced by TFCAs and aligned with the SADC TFCA vision, the Network was established on 25–26 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by TFCA coordinators, representatives from international NGOs, and practitioners from ten SADC Member States.
The Network aims to address several key common challenges, including:
- Strengthening governance through improved policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks
- Developing sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs
- Demonstrating the value of TFCAs at local, national, and regional levels—for example, by enhancing community benefits and supporting capacity development.
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!
Upcoming events
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Click here to add your events to the TFCA calendar.Recently added jobs
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Room to Roam: Enhancing Connectivity for wildlife and coexistence in Southern Africa
Conservation
Meeting Report
This is a report of a workshop organised by IFAW at the TFCA International Conference and Summit in May 2025 in Harare.
This meeting focused on elephant conservation and connectivity in Southern Africa. Experts discussed research findings on elephant populations, movements,...
More
SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit Communique
Conservation
Meeting Report
In a major milestone for regional conservation, Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Summit on 23 May 2025. The summit, themed Transfrontier Conservation Areas...
More
Disaster Risk Reduction: The Role of TFCAs - Panel Discuss at the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) International Conference
Climate Change
Meeting Report
Theme: Transforming development to minimise risk creation: Integration of risk management into SADC TFCA’s development planning and programming.
Organiser: GIZ through the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management in the SADC Region (C-NRM) Programme and Global Initiative...
More
Visit a TransFrontier Park today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier Parks, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs 
KAZA Tourism
News
SADC Leaders Mark 25 Years of Transfrontier Conservation Areas at Landmark Summit in Harare — 23 May 2025
Steve Collins / 2 June 2025
In a major milestone for regional conservation, Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Summit on 23 May 2025. The summit, themed Transfrontier Conservation Areas – 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,” celebrated the quarter-century legacy of collaborative natural resource management across borders.
Germany commits an additional €24 Million to Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Biodiversity Day
Steve Collins / 30 May 2025
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, 23 May 2025, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has committed an additional €24 million to support Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The announcement was made during the SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, which marked 25 years of cross-border conservation cooperation in Southern Africa.
Mozambique’s Maputo National Park and Nesting Sea Turtles Highlighted in World Heritage Nomination Push
Steven Collins / 29 May 2025
Announced in Paris, France on May 29, 2025. Mozambique’s Maputo National Park [art of the Lubombo TFCA —a vibrant coastal haven for marine life including nesting sea turtles—is among five global sites recommended by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List this year
More news
Want to see your news here?
Click here to add your news to the TFCA website.
Visit a TransFrontier Park today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier Parks, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs
KAZA Tourism
The TFCA Network
The SADC TFCA Network is a community of practice that brings together professionals working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across a wide range of sectors contributing to SADC's regional sustainable rural development programme.
Recognising the shared challenges faced by TFCAs and aligned with the SADC TFCA vision, the Network was established on 25–26 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by TFCA coordinators, representatives from international NGOs, and practitioners from ten SADC Member States.
The Network aims to address several key common challenges, including:
- Strengthening governance through improved policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks
- Developing sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs
- Demonstrating the value of TFCAs at local, national, and regional levels—for example, by enhancing community benefits and supporting capacity development.
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!
News
SADC Leaders Mark 25 Years of Transfrontier Conservation Areas at Landmark Summit in Harare — 23 May 2025
Steve Collins / 2 June 2025
In a major milestone for regional conservation, Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Summit on 23 May 2025. The summit, themed Transfrontier Conservation Areas – 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,” celebrated the quarter-century legacy of collaborative natural resource management across borders.
Germany commits an additional €24 Million to Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Biodiversity Day
Steve Collins / 30 May 2025
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, 23 May 2025, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has committed an additional €24 million to support Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The announcement was made during the SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, which marked 25 years of cross-border conservation cooperation in Southern Africa.
Mozambique’s Maputo National Park and Nesting Sea Turtles Highlighted in World Heritage Nomination Push
Steven Collins / 29 May 2025
Announced in Paris, France on May 29, 2025. Mozambique’s Maputo National Park [art of the Lubombo TFCA —a vibrant coastal haven for marine life including nesting sea turtles—is among five global sites recommended by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List this year
More news
Upcoming events
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More
Recently added to the Repository
Room to Roam: Enhancing Connectivity for wildlife and coexistence in Southern Africa
Conservation
Meeting Report
This is a report of a workshop organised by IFAW at the TFCA International Conference and Summit in May 2025 in Harare.
This meeting focused on elephant conservation and connectivity in Southern Africa. Experts discussed research findings on elephant populations, movements,...
More
SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit Communique
Conservation
Meeting Report
In a major milestone for regional conservation, Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Summit on 23 May 2025. The summit, themed Transfrontier Conservation Areas...
More
Disaster Risk Reduction: The Role of TFCAs - Panel Discuss at the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) International Conference
Climate Change
Meeting Report
Theme: Transforming development to minimise risk creation: Integration of risk management into SADC TFCA’s development planning and programming.
Organiser: GIZ through the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management in the SADC Region (C-NRM) Programme and Global Initiative...
More
