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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
More
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Click here to add your events to the TFCA calendar.List your job for free
Add your job listing to the TFCA website and reach a community of professionals in your field.Recently added to the Repository
Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance
Conservation
Tools
Finance for Protected Areas. This Guide contributes to the further development of conservation finance in light of global and local challenges for biodiversity and with the goal of supporting nature and ecosystem service flows essential for human well-being.
This Guide has...
More
Mapping Climate Risk in the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area
Climate Change
Tools
In 2020 a rural livelihood rapid climate risk assessment for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region was undertaken. The assessment entailed the development of a vulnerability index representing social, natural, physical, financial, and human capital. Data used to represent...
More
ZIMOZA signing Communique
Governance
Treaty / MOA
The communique about the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of the Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia (ZIMOZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) which was held on 18th of July 2024 at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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
Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance
Conservation
Tools
Finance for Protected Areas. This Guide contributes to the further development of conservation finance in light of global and local challenges for biodiversity and with the goal of supporting nature and ecosystem service flows essential for human well-being.
This Guide has...
More
Mapping Climate Risk in the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area
Climate Change
Tools
In 2020 a rural livelihood rapid climate risk assessment for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region was undertaken. The assessment entailed the development of a vulnerability index representing social, natural, physical, financial, and human capital. Data used to represent...
More
ZIMOZA signing Communique
Governance
Treaty / MOA
The communique about the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of the Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia (ZIMOZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) which was held on 18th of July 2024 at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe.
More
