WWF Zimbabwe country co-ordinator Itai Chibaya has said placing people and communities at the centre of conservation efforts is crucial for sustainable development.
Speaking during the Africa Week 2026 commemorations in Libreville, Gabon, Chibaya emphasised that local communities must actively participate in protecting and managing natural resources to achieve effective conservation.
“Communities are the backbone of conservation in Africa. By empowering them, we empower the future of our wildlife and wild spaces,” he said.
“Our work in Zimbabwe shows that when communities benefit from conservation, they become its strongest advocates. It's a win-win for people and nature.”
Chibaya highlighted successful initiatives in Zimbabwe, such as community-led wildlife management programmes in the Zambezi Valley, which have seen an increase in elephant population and improved local economies through tourism revenue.
He stressed that conservation must prioritise community needs and rights, ensuring locals actively participate in decision-making.
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Africa Week 2026, attended by WWF international director-general Kirsten Schuijt and other conservation leaders, culminated in the Libreville Declaration — a commitment to accelerate action under the WWF Roadmap 2030. The event’s theme, Leveraging Biodiversity for Africa's Prosperity, underscores the importance of sustainable resource management and community engagement.
WWF Zimbabwe’s work exemplifies how community-led initiatives can create a future where humans and wildlife thrive together.