Hwange elephants could boost Matabeleland North economy through controlled ivory sale
by SIBONGILE SIBANDA
HWANGE – HWANGE National Park, home to Zimbabwe’s largest elephant population, could soon see a significant boost in conservation funding if the international trade in ivory is loosened, President Emmerson Mnangagwa suggested at the inaugural Africa Biodiversity Summit in Gaborone, Botswana.
The summit, convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) under the theme “Leveraging Biodiversity for Africa’s Prosperity”, brought together heads of state, policymakers, and conservationists to discuss sustainable solutions for Africa’s wildlife management challenges.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, President Mnangagwa called on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to lift restrictive bans on ivory trade and allow a once-off sale of Zimbabwe’s carefully managed stockpiles.
He emphasised that such a move would fund conservation efforts, particularly in wildlife-rich areas like Hwange.
“Zimbabwe firmly believes that the sustainable use of natural resources, including wildlife, is key to ensuring their long-term survival,” Dr Ndlovu read on behalf of the president.
“Our stance on ivory and live animals is not one of economic opportunism, but a practical conservation strategy rooted in sustainable utilisation.”
Hwange National Park, located in Matabeleland North, is home to over 50,000 elephants, one of the largest populations in Southern Africa.
While the park’s elephant numbers reflect successful conservation, they also pose challenges. Human-wildlife conflict has escalated in surrounding communities, with crop destruction and occasional livestock losses impacting local livelihoods.
President Mnangagwa noted that Zimbabwe currently maintains substantial legally acquired ivory stockpiles, derived from natural elephant deaths and confiscations from poachers.
These stockpiles, while valuable, require costly security and storage, offering no financial return to conservation programmes.
“The current rigid CITES ban, which takes a one-size-fits-all approach, is counterproductive to the wildlife management successes achieved in Southern Africa,” said President Mnangagwa.
“A controlled, once-off sale of ivory will raise millions to support conservation, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and further secure the future of our elephant populations.”
President Mnangagwa urged African nations to present a unified voice at global platforms, challenging international restrictions that he said are often guided by political considerations rather than science.
“Africa must define its own biodiversity narrative, one that reflects our realities, aspirations, and sovereignty,” he said.
“We must move beyond being mere custodians of global biodiversity to active participants in the biodiversity economy.”
Zimbabwe’s push for controlled ivory sales highlights the intersection of wildlife conservation and economic development, particularly for communities in Matabeleland North, where tourism generated by Hwange National Park is a key economic driver.
Local businesses, safari operators, and artisans benefit from the influx of visitors, making conservation funding not just a matter of ecology, but of sustainable regional development.
Southern Africa has long been at the forefront of community-based natural resource management, balancing wildlife protection with local economic benefit.
Countries like Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe maintain thriving elephant populations, supported by anti-poaching initiatives, eco-tourism, and controlled ivory policies.
However, restrictive international bans on ivory sales have limited revenue streams, straining park management budgets and affecting wildlife protection programmes.
Zimbabwe’s call for a once-off sale mirrors similar appeals from neighboring countries, emphasizing the need for policies that are science-driven, region-specific, and sustainable.
As Hwange National Park continues to attract tourists from around the world, the proposed funding could strengthen anti-poaching units, improve water and habitat management, and support local communities affected by elephant migration.
President Mnangagwa concluded with a vision for a prosperous Africa, where biodiversity conservation is not only a moral imperative but also an economic opportunity:
“Let this Summit reaffirm our collective commitment to a future where conservation drives prosperity, trade is fair and sustainable, and our natural heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.”
