25 years of 
COLLECTIVE IMPACT

Chairman, CEO’s letters

VASANT NARASIMHAN

A Vision for Conservation

VASANT (VAS) NARASIMHAN
Chairperson of the Board of African Parks Network

Vas Narasimhan reflects on a year of strengthening governance, how African Parks has matured and the enduring strengths of its partnerships. He highlights the creation of an Independent Panel for human rights and the organisation's response to funding shifts.

Read letter
PETER FEARNHEAD

The Decade for Action

PETER FEARNHEAD
African Parks CEO

CEO Peter Fearnhead reflects on 25 years of partnership and resilience. Sharing insights from humbling visits to teams in Benin and Chad, he praises their resolve amid adversity. He reaffirms his conviction in African Parks’ work and its goal to manage 30 protected areas by 2030.

Read letter

Executive Summary

1 of 6

Growth and Partnership Developments

In 2025, new and renewed partnerships expanded African Parks’ impact. A long-term agreement for Kundelungu National Park in DRC was signed and the Garamba mandate renewed for another 10 years. After navigating various complexities, management agreements in Chad were reinstated. Progress continued in Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park, and in Mozambique on a unified marine strategy for the Inhambane Seascape. The Africa Keystone Protected Areas Partnership was also established to guide investment and coordination across the continent’s most vital landscapes.

Achievements
2 of 6

Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring

Species restoration efforts scaled significantly. The Rhino Rewild initiative translocated 256 southern white rhino to secure, well-managed areas, bringing the total to over 630 to date. 2,217 animals across 13 species were moved in 2025, with hartebeest returning to Liuwa Plain after a 50-year absence. Park rangers conducted over 310,000 patrol days, removing 25,000 snares and confiscating hundreds of illegal firearms to ensure the integrity of these vital ecosystems, while enhanced monitoring using eDNA and BIOSCAN techniques provided deeper ecological insights.

Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring
3 of 6

Livelihoods and Enterprise Projects

Over 33,000 people participated in livelihood projects across local communities, such as beekeeping and sustainable agriculture. In education, over 2,200 scholarships were provided and 395 schools supported, while 20,000 children visited the parks. Healthcare assistance reached nearly 100,000 people through park-supported clinics and services. Responses to human-wildlife conflict were tailored to specific contexts. Finally, the majority of the parks’ operational spending was directed to local suppliers, boosting surrounding economies.

Livelihoods and Enterprise Projects
4 of 6

Financial Resilience and Revenue Generation

Despite major shifts in funding, the organisation demonstrated financial resilience and managed, through cost reductions and partner support, to close a US$25.4 million gap with no job losses. Progress was made in nature-based finance, with the first carbon fund disbursements made to community projects. Tourism revenue grew by 9% to US$17.5 million, supported by new lodge openings. Majete surpassed US$1 million in annual revenue for the first time, and Akagera achieved the major milestone of full financial sustainability, generating over US$5 million in park revenue.

Financial Resilience and Revenue Generation
5 of 6

Safeguards and Governance

Significant efforts were made towards enhancing African Parks’ safeguards and human rights systems. Following recommendations, Project Bomoko was launched to embed a rigorous human rights-based approach across all operations. Key governance and oversight adjustments were implemented, including the establishment of a Rights and Safeguards Sub-committee of the Board. An Independent Panel of African legal and human rights specialists was also appointed to oversee the grievance mechanism, ensuring accountability and aligning all systems with international best practice.

Safeguards and Governance
6 of 6

The Road Ahead

The coming decade will test conservation with increased climate volatility, population pressure and land-use change. The role of Africa’s protected areas has never been clearer: they are vital for water security, regional stability and rural economies. 
Our aim is to ensure that these landscapes remain functional through change and continue to thrive – a goal that depends on sustained partnerships with governments, communities and funders.

The Road Ahead

Key Feature Story

African Parks is committed to upholding and promoting the human rights of indigenous people and local communities as we work to fulfil our conservation mission. This commitment has been reaffirmed in our revised African Parks Human Rights Statement of Principles (which also resides on the website), and progress is being made to integrate human rights more fully into our operations.

Our Impact in Numbers

395

schools supported 176 teachers supported and 22 school blocks built

$2.3M

in funds shared with communities for their use

188K

paying visitors to AP parks in 2025 59% of which were local

$7.3M

generated from nature based solutions 35% increase from 2024

$2.1M

in income earned by communities from enterprise projects

2,217

animals moved in 2025, composed of 13 species

83%**

of key species have increased  or stablised populations since AP management

25K

snare traps confiscated in 2025

Key initiatives

Related articles

Gambella National Park
contententry
Media image
Gambella National Park
Gambella: One Year On Blog | 29 April 2026

What does it take to manage a landscape? In Gambella National Park, a 12-month transition period has laid the groundwork for a shared direction, offering early insight into progress and the opportunities ahead.

Wildebeest being released in Kafue National Park
contententry
Media image
Wildebeest being released in Kafue National Park
Historic Wildlife Translocation Underway to Restore Kafue National Park Press Releases | 1 August 2025

African Parks, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE), has launched a large-scale wildlife translocation in Zambia. Wildebeest and zebra are being moved from Liuwa Plain National Park to Kafue National Park (KNP), marking a significant milestone in the ongoing restoration of this important ecosystem.

Community fishing outside Chinko
contententry
Media image
Community fishing outside Chinko
Working together to manage resources in Chinko Blog | 20 November 2025

Communication and collaboration between traditional fishers and conservation agents in the Chinko Conservation Area, CAR, are contributing to natural resource management and community resilience.

Be the first to see impact in action

Join our community and stay connected on the latest news and stories.

×