Regenerative Tourism: Investing in Nature and Local Economies across KAZA
With support from Germany and the European Union, a new initiative in the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area is helping turn nature-based tourism into a stronger driver of conservation, local enterprise and sustainable livelihoods.
The Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) has launched a new initiative to strengthen regenerative nature-based tourism across one of Southern Africa’s most important conservation landscapes. The Joint Action on Regenerative Nature-Based Tourism (R-NBT) was officially launched on 24 September 2026 during a Regional Stakeholder Roundtable in Maun, Botswana, bringing together representatives of the five KAZA Partner States and key regional stakeholders.
For Germany, the initiative connects environmental protection with sustainable economic development. Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of KAZA’s tourism economy, but conservation can only be sustainable in the long term if the people and businesses living alongside these natural resources also benefit. Regenerative tourism offers an opportunity to link the protection and restoration of ecosystems with jobs, stronger local businesses and new sources of income.
This is particularly relevant in KAZA, which spans Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and covers approximately 520,000 km². The landscape includes globally significant ecosystems and tourism destinations such as the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, while also facing challenges including habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and climate vulnerability.
The R-NBT initiative therefore places micro, small and medium tourism enterprises at the centre of its approach, with particular attention to businesses led by women and youth and those located close to protected areas. Businesses will be supported through capacity development, improved access to finance, business development and stronger connections to regional and international markets.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Wynter Boipuso Mmolotsi, Minister of Environment and Tourism of Botswana, represented by Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr Charles Kabo Mojalemotho, emphasised the connection between tourism growth, nature and communities: “Regenerative tourism is about ensuring that tourism growth strengthens the nature and communities it depends on. Through this initiative, we want to build more resilient and competitive local enterprises while ensuring that the benefits of nature-based tourism reach communities and MSMEs across the KAZA landscape.”
Germany’s long-term commitment to KAZA
Germany’s engagement in regenerative tourism builds on its longstanding cooperation with SADC and KAZA in the sustainable management of transboundary natural resources. Germany has supported KAZA since 2009 with more than EUR 40 million and has committed more than EUR 50 million to TFCA Financing Facilities. Through this cooperation, Germany supports approaches that combine biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable tourism with economic opportunities for communities.
The R-NBT initiative translates this approach into practical support for tourism enterprises. It recognises that nature is not only an environmental asset but also an important economic foundation for the region. By helping local businesses become greener, more competitive and investment-ready, the initiative aims to ensure that tourism contributes to maintaining and restoring the ecosystems on which the sector itself depends.
As highlighted at the launch, Germany sees regenerative tourism as an opportunity to finance conservation while creating sustainable economic opportunities. This means moving beyond tourism that simply minimises its environmental footprint towards models in which businesses actively contribute to healthier ecosystems, stronger communities and more resilient local economies.
From local businesses to regional impact
The initiative will work with financial institutions, business support organisations, public authorities and tourism boards to address some of the barriers facing nature-based tourism MSMEs. These include limited access to finance, gaps in business and digital skills, fragmented value chains and challenges in meeting sustainability standards. Businesses will receive tailored technical assistance, training and mentoring, while the project will explore financial mechanisms and opportunities to improve their visibility in regional and international markets.
The Joint Action on Regenerative Nature-Based Tourism is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the KAZA Secretariat and SADC Secretariat.