Mozambique needs up to US$4 million a year for each conservation area, says ANAC

The figures were disclosed by ANAC Director-General Pejul Pedro Sebastião Calenga in an interview with AIM. According to Calenga, current investment remains well below actual requirements, ranging between US$1.5 million and US$2 million annually for each conservation area, an amount that only provides the minimum conditions needed for operations. “On average, between US$3 million and US$4 million needs to be invested each year in every conservation area if we are to have effective conditions in terms of infrastructure development and wildlife management,” Calenga said.

The Director-General explained that current funding represents little more than half of what is required. As a result, the government continues to rely on support from international partners and philanthropic organisations, while also seeking to attract private investment to accelerate the restoration and development of protected areas. In addition to safeguarding biodiversity, these investments are intended to finance the construction and maintenance of access roads, airstrips and basic infrastructure, combat poaching, manage human-wildlife conflict and strengthen human resources.

Calenga said Mozambique enjoys a virtually unique competitive advantage on the African continent by combining major marine and terrestrial attractions within relatively short distances. According to the ANAC chief, Mozambique is one of the few African countries where visitors can experience both the so-called marine “Big Five” and the terrestrial “Big Five”, combining beach holidays, diving and safari experiences within a single destination. “The key aspect is this comparative and competitive advantage we have by offering two major attractions, both in the marine and terrestrial landscapes,” he said.

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As an example, he highlighted Maputo National Park, where tourists can travel from the coastline to the interior in just a few minutes and observe marine species such as sharks, rays and dugongs before encountering elephants and other large terrestrial mammals. He also pointed to Inhambane province, where beach tourism can easily be combined with visits to Zinave National Park, creating an integrated ecotourism offering. For the ANAC Director-General, preserving ecosystems is a direct investment in the growth of Mozambique’s tourism sector. He said one of the government’s main responsibilities is to ensure that wildlife and natural landscapes remain protected while simultaneously developing infrastructure that facilitates visitor access to protected areas.

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