REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
21st May 2025 – Harare, Zimbabwe
Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba – MP and Honourable Mike E. Mposha, Minister Green Economy and Environment have arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe leading a delegation of senior government officials to participate in a high-level Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trans frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) International Conference and Summit aimed at strengthening regional collaboration in tourism and natural resource conservation.
The Summit is being held under the theme ‘TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREAS – 25 YEARS OF COOPERATION FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.” Outlining the major achievements recorded in enhancing regional integration and sustainable development whilst utilizing the TFCA model in the last 25 years.
Speaking upon arrival, Hon. Sikumba emphasized Zambia’s continued commitment to regional integration and sustainable tourism development through the Trans frontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) initiative. The country is currently party to four (4) TFCA’s at different levels of development. These include.
• KAVANGO – ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA (KAZA TFCA) WHICH WAS SIGNED ON 18TH AUGUST 2011.
• MALAWI – ZAMBIA TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA (MAZA TFCA) WHICH WAS SIGNED ON 7TH JULY 2015.
• ZIMBABWE – MOZAMBIQUE – ZAMBIA TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA (ZIMOZA TFCA) WHICH WAS SIGNED ON 18TH JULY 2024; AND
• LOWER ZAMBEZI – MANA POOLS TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA (LOZAMAP) WHICH WAS SIGNED ON 26TH MAY 2023.
“We are here to drive the TFCA agenda forward, leveraging our rich natural and cultural resources not only for tourism development but also for environmental conservation and regional socio-economic growth,” said Hon. Sikumba.
The SADC summit will see bilateral meetings held between Zambia’s Ministers and other ministers from within the region focusing on strategic partnerships that promote green investments, cross-border tourism and enhanced conservation efforts.
The program is expected to culminate in a Heads of State Summit, underscoring the political will from SADC Heads of State in achieving the goals of regional cooperation through TFCAs.
“Zambia continues to champion a tourism-led approach to sustainable and inclusive development. Our natural, cultural and heritage resources are not just a source of national pride, but a cornerstone for economic transformation and emancipation,” he stated.
Issued by
Nelly Banda
