Decent Work and Economic Growth

African Parks drives economic growth through employment, enterprise development and tourism, and creates a conservation-led economy around each park. Our operations are labor intensive and require significant investment in the selection and training of individuals. Park employees are then empowered to become drivers of economic growth in their local communities through the purchase of goods and services. Employment is the most tangible economic benefit for local communities from the perceived burden of adjacent parks, however the investment in community-led enterprises and tourism adds immense value to the productivity of the local economy. We invest expertise and funding in environmentally sustainable, community-led enterprises, which provide multiple benefits: they preserve the integrity of diverse ecosystems and extend economic benefits beyond park employees. Tourism is the most effective enterprise and also most compatible with conservation, and AP is renowned for attracting local and international tourists. The tourism sector employs local community members – although less labor-intensive than park operations – and has a multiplier effect through business linkages that promote local culture, products and services.

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