Highlights of SADC-German Support

This is a summary of German support to SADC on their TFCA program over the last 25 years.

The vision of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), as outlined in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) TFCA Programme 2023-2033 is to develop a world-class network of sustainably managed transboundary landscapes and seascapes across, and for the benefit, of SADC. This implies effective governance and management, socio-economic development, financial sustainability, climate resilience and regional learning and integration. TFCAs are therefore bold conservation initiatives due to their size, complexity and ambition. 2025 marked exactly 25 years since Botswana and South Africa officially opened Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the first TFCA in the SADC region. German Cooperation has supported the TFCA approach since its inception and has invested more than 270 million Euros into TFCAs in the region by putting both, people and nature, centre. Today, 13 TFCAs are listed, 11 of which are formalised through the signing of an Agreement. TFCA development has only been possible through political commitment of the SADC member states, in close collaboration with many partners. The German government has supported SADC TFCAs from as early as 2002. In 2012, SADC and Germany initiated a joint, regional Transboundary Use and Protection of Natural Resources Programme (SADC/German TUPNR)

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• 25 years of German - SADC cooperation on TFCAs