By Godknows Homwe
Zimbabwe has taken a major step towards recognizing and valuing the contribution of nature to its economic development by launching the first-ever Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy (ZBE) Report on September 13, 2023. The report, which was developed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry (MECTHI) with support from the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), provides a framework for mainstreaming biodiversity into development planning, policy-making, and investment decisions.
The ZBE report defines biodiversity economy as “the economic benefits derived from the sustainable use and/or conservation of indigenous species in their natural habitats”. It covers four sectors: wildlife, forestry, fisheries, and bio-prospecting. It also includes a natural capital accounting framework and an investment blueprint that identifies the opportunities and measures for unlocking the potential value of biodiversity in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is rich in biodiversity in its varied landscapes and aquatic ecosystems. It has approximately 5,930 vascular plant species, of which 214 are endemic, 670 bird species, 270 mammal species, 156 reptile species, 120 amphibian species, and 141 fish species. These species are found within and outside protected areas. However, this biodiversity is under serious threat from climate change and human activities such as deforestation, wildlife crime, illegal harvesting, and trade of wildlife and forest products.
The country also boasts of an extensive protected areas network of 27.2%. These areas have significantly contributed to the safeguarding of biodiversity.
Biodiversity a Driver of Economic Growth in Zimbabwe
According to the report, Zimbabwe has a rich biodiversity that supports various economic activities such as tourism, agriculture, mining, energy, and health. However, the value of biodiversity is often underestimated or ignored in national accounts and development strategies. The report estimates that the direct contribution of biodiversity to Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product (GDP) was about 7.1% in 2019, while the indirect contribution was about 18.9%. This means that biodiversity accounted for about 26% of Zimbabwe’s GDP in 2019.
The launch of the ZBE report was attended by high-level officials from the government, private sector, civil society, media, and development partners. The Acting Secretary of MECTHI, Tariro Musonza said that the ZBE Study showed how nature could help create opportunities and a long-term biodiversity economy for the country to achieve its vision of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
“The ZBE Study Report recognizes the key role of nature in Zimbabwe’s economic development and will therefore provide a foundation to harness opportunities and long-term growth of a biodiversity economy, including harnessing investments in this critical economic asset as we endeavor to attain vision 2030,” she said
She also thanked AWF for its financial and technical support in producing the report. “Allow me at this stage to express our gratitude to the Africa Wildlife Foundation for financially and technically supporting this study,” she added.
With funding support from AWF working with the ministry, the ZBE went through various stages, including the hosting of an inception meeting to discuss its development in September 2021 and the validation of findings and recommendations of the study in April 2022, among other processes that led to the study’s launch.
“AWF is pleased to have partnered with the Ministry of Environment to produce the Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Report, which not only sets a baseline on the value and contribution of nature but also identifies viable business and investment opportunities through which Zimbabwe can unlock the enormous potential value in its rich biodiversity,” AWF Zimbabwe Country Director Olivia Mufute said.
She also encouraged stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the report and to promote the development of a green economy based on biodiversity.
“The successful implementation of various recommendations put forward in the ZBE report will promote poverty reduction and economic growth as various groups including the women and youth, private sector, and the government can tap into various opportunities presented in bio-prospecting and bio trade, fisheries, wildlife and forestry sectors,” Olivia added.
Unlocking the Potential of Biodiversity
Biodiversity and associated ecosystems play a key role in the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe and the country adheres to regional and international commitments. Africa held its first APAC in July 2022 and issued the Kigali Declaration, which urged Africa to develop biodiversity economies to fund and motivate conservation. In December 2022, the world adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which also recognized the role of biodiversity economies in filling the conservation financing gap of over $700 billion a year.
A successful biodiversity economy requires a good policy and legislative framework. In this regard, Musonza concluded that the Ministry is currently reviewing various Acts and Policies related to the environment such as the Wildlife Policy, National Environmental Policy, EMA Act, and Parks and Wildlife Act. These legal and policy frameworks seek to create an enabling environment for natural resource conservation and sustainable use. These processes will no doubt enhance the Zimbabwe biodiversity economy.
Kenya’s natural capital was valued at about $40 billion in 2014, representing 10% of its GDP, whereas Rwanda’s ecotourism sector generated about $438 million in 2018, accounting for 14.7% of its GDP. According to World Bank South Africa’s biodiversity economy contributed directly to about 7.1% of its GDP in 2019. It has also introduced tax incentives for landowners who conserve biodiversity on their properties.
