The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) is the centrefold of five partner countries; Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, aimed at conserving and developing the tourist area that is shared by the five Southern African countries. The KAZA TFCA is considered one of the world’s largest conservation areas. It is centred around the Caprivi-Chobe-Victoria Falls area, inevitably making tourism the by-product of the five-state partnership.
Owned and operated by the five governments, the task to review progress on the KAZA TFCA’s development was recently undertaken by the Ministers responsible for Environment, Wildlife, Natural Resources, Hotels and Tourism in Kasane, Botswana. At the meeting, the five countries approved the recommendations on harmonisation of Natural Resources Management and Tourism Development Policies, Legislation and Management Practices as well as the KAZA Master Integrated Development Plan.
An additional achievement was approval of the KAZA-wide Financial Policies and Procedures Manual as well as Recommendations of the KAZA Mid-term Review. The progress made thus far dates from as far back as 2006 when the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, which served as a guideline in negotiating and establishing of the TFCA. With the project underway, the MoU is expected to be declared null and void when the Treaty to formally establish the KAZA TFCA is signed by the partner countries.
