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Transfrontier Conservation Areas
The Southern African Development Community has created 14 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across country borders covering 1 Million Square Kilometers or 10% of the land in 11 of SADC's 16 countries.
The SADC TFCA programme hopes to reconnect natural landscapes by improving transboundary conservation, supporting sustainable rural development and building climate change resilience in the region. The TFCA programme is part of SADC's regional integration vision.
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 the 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
15th COP For The Convention on Migratory Species
23 - 29 March 2026
Campo Grande, Brazil
More
SADC TFCA Network Annual Meeting
09 - 13 November 2026
Skukuza, South Africa
More
Want to see your events here?
Click here to add your events to the TFCA calendar.Recently added jobs
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
Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group Newsletter
Conservation
Newsletter
The report highlights innovative transboundary conservation efforts, emphasizing regional cooperation, indigenous leadership, sustainable financing, and community engagement across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Amazon. Key initiatives include private capital mobilization in the Great Limpopo, indigenous Sámi and Amazonian...
More
Tourism Market Development Strategy and Action Plan SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas
Tourism
Strategy and guides
While tourism is a growing and important economic sector for SADC Member States, the region is yet to realise its full
tourism potential. In 2019, prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, SADC Member States received less than 2%
of global...
More
BRIEFING PAPER: Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Botswana and Beyond: Drivers, Impacts, and Response Mechanisms
Conservation
Research
Human–wildlife coexistence has emerged as a strategic issue of growing importance for many countries across the world, with far-reaching implications for sustainable development, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation.
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Visit a TransFrontier Conservation Area today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier conservation areas, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs 
TOURISM in KAZA
News
Positioning Southern Africa’s TFCAs on the Global Stage at ITB Berlin 2026
Rorly Sherwen / 23 March 2026
Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) took centre stage at ITB Berlin 2026, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region strengthened its position as a leading destination for sustainable, cross-border tourism. Through the support of the German Government and the European Union (EU) implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and in collaboration with regional partners, Boundless Southern Africa (BSA) showcased the unique value of TFCAs to the global tourism market.
Empowering Africa’s Transfrontier Conservation Areas: Landmark Resource Mobilisation and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Program Launches
Rorly Sherwen / 23 March 2026
SADC REGION – In a significant move to secure the future of Africa’s shared ecosystems, a comprehensive ten-month Resource Mobilisation and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Program has officially launched. Designed to support stakeholders working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across Southern and Eastern Africa, the initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Sustainable Finance Coalition, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the SADC Secretariat, through the support of the German Government and the European Union.
EU Global Gateway Flagship Initiative – EU NaturAfrica Programme: What’s happening in Southern Africa TFCAs
Rorly Sherwen / 23 March 2026
The EU NaturAfrica programme continues to make strides in enhancing biodiversity conservation and community resilience across Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs). Here's an overview of where the programme is, who's involved, and what it means for conservation on the ground.
More news
Want to see your news here?
Click here to add your news to the TFCA website.
Visit a TransFrontier Conservation Area today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier conservation areas, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs
TOURISM in KAZA
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 the 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
Positioning Southern Africa’s TFCAs on the Global Stage at ITB Berlin 2026
Rorly Sherwen / 23 March 2026
Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) took centre stage at ITB Berlin 2026, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region strengthened its position as a leading destination for sustainable, cross-border tourism. Through the support of the German Government and the European Union (EU) implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and in collaboration with regional partners, Boundless Southern Africa (BSA) showcased the unique value of TFCAs to the global tourism market.
Empowering Africa’s Transfrontier Conservation Areas: Landmark Resource Mobilisation and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Program Launches
Rorly Sherwen / 23 March 2026
SADC REGION – In a significant move to secure the future of Africa’s shared ecosystems, a comprehensive ten-month Resource Mobilisation and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Program has officially launched. Designed to support stakeholders working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across Southern and Eastern Africa, the initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Sustainable Finance Coalition, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the SADC Secretariat, through the support of the German Government and the European Union.
EU Global Gateway Flagship Initiative – EU NaturAfrica Programme: What’s happening in Southern Africa TFCAs
Rorly Sherwen / 23 March 2026
The EU NaturAfrica programme continues to make strides in enhancing biodiversity conservation and community resilience across Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs). Here's an overview of where the programme is, who's involved, and what it means for conservation on the ground.
More news
Upcoming events
15th COP For The Convention on Migratory Species
23 - 29 March 2026
Campo Grande, Brazil
More
SADC TFCA Network Annual Meeting
09 - 13 November 2026
Skukuza, South Africa
More
Recently added to the Repository
Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group Newsletter
Conservation
Newsletter
The report highlights innovative transboundary conservation efforts, emphasizing regional cooperation, indigenous leadership, sustainable financing, and community engagement across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Amazon. Key initiatives include private capital mobilization in the Great Limpopo, indigenous Sámi and Amazonian...
More
Tourism Market Development Strategy and Action Plan SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas
Tourism
Strategy and guides
While tourism is a growing and important economic sector for SADC Member States, the region is yet to realise its full
tourism potential. In 2019, prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, SADC Member States received less than 2%
of global...
More
BRIEFING PAPER: Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Botswana and Beyond: Drivers, Impacts, and Response Mechanisms
Conservation
Research
Human–wildlife coexistence has emerged as a strategic issue of growing importance for many countries across the world, with far-reaching implications for sustainable development, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation.
More
