Government Partners

© Kyle de Nobrega

Our work is only possible with the support of our Government and other local partners in each country in which we operate.

Although the approach adopted by African Parks is one of delegated management, we still remain dependent on our host Ministries, Departments, Wildlife Institutions and Traditional Authorities to serve as the link to various sectors of government to secure approvals, licences, and permits and ensure general political and societal support for our actions.

The stronger these relationships, the better the support to our activities, the more successful the project. Their statutory roles are enshrined in the agreements, and their participation is ensured through approval of park business plans and participation on the park Boards. We thank them all for the trust bestowed upon African Parks.

  • The Government of Benin
    The Government of Benin made a significant five-year commitment of US$6 million when President Talon invited African Parks to assume management of Pendjari National Park in the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex that spans Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. The aim of the partnership is to preserve, manage, and develop this unique landscape. In addition, the Government of Benin has been instrumental in expanding our footprint into W-Benin and promoting regional security and cooperation.
  • Ministry Of Water & Forestry, Hunting & Fishing Of Central African Republic (CAR)
    The Ministry of Water and Forestry, Hunting and Fishing retains primary responsibility for sustainable management of forest resources, including oversight of commercial forestry operations and management of the national parks of the CAR. We began our work with the Ministry in Chinko in 2014; the current Minister is Lambert Lissane-Moukove.
  • The Republic of Chad
    The Republic of Chad is African Parks’ partner in the management of Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, an extensive ecosystem that includes Zakouma National Park and Siniaka Minia Wildlife Reserve, and in the management of the new Natural and Cultural Reserve of Ennedi (NCRE). The Chadian Government, on the advice of The European Union, approached African Parks in 2010 to assume management responsibility of Zakouma to put an end to the ongoing scourge of elephant poaching. The mandate agreement was signed in June 2010, and African Parks commenced management of the park and periphery in October the same year. Abdelkerim Siddick Haggar is the Minister of Environment, Water and Fisheries and Madangah Ngamgassou is the Director of Wildlife.
  • Ministry Of Forest Economy & Sustainable Development Of The Republic Of The Congo
    The Ministry of Forest Economy and Sustainable Development has the task to execute national policy as defined by the President of the Republic of the Congo regarding sustainable development, forest economy, and the environment. We began our work with the Ministry in in 2010, when our first management agreement was signed for Odzala-Kokoua National Park and we are very proud to have seen additional protection of this unique landscape through the signing of a new management agreement with the Minister, Madame Rosalie Matondo, in 2020. Under the Ministry, African Parks works with Agence Congolais pour les Fôrets et les Aires Protégées (ACFAP), which is represented by its Director-General, Jean-Bosco Nganongo.
  • Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    The ICCN is a public entity housed under the Ministry of Environment and is charged with the sustainable management of biodiversity in protected areas in the DRC in cooperation with local communities and other partners. ICCN manages a natural and cultural heritage made up of nine national parks and a constellation of 80 reserves covering over 13% of the country’s area. We began our work with the ICCN in Garamba National Park in 2005. ICCN is currently under the leadership of Director General, Yves Milan Ngangay.
  • Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW)
    The DNPW is the statutory organisation in charge of national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries, as well as wildlife management on communal lands in Malawi, while The Department of Forestry is responsible for the management of all forest reserves in the country. We began our work with the DNPW in Majete Wildlife Reserve in 2003, in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park in 2015, and most recently in Mangochi Forest Reserve in 2018. The Public-Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) has played an instrumental role, particularly in the conclusion of the more recent projects.
  • National Administration Of Conservation Areas (ANAC) - Mozambique
    In December 2017, African Parks signed a 25-year co-management agreement with Mozambique’s National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) to restore, develop and manage Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, and revitalise it to become one of the leading and most productive marine protected areas in Eastern Africa. Mateus Jose Mutemba is the current General Director of ANAC.
  • Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
    The RDB is the government agency responsible for managing Rwanda’s national parks and protected areas. Its mission is to transform Rwanda into a dynamic hub for business, investment and innovation, with a mission to fast-track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private-sector growth. We began our work with RDB in Akagera National Park in 2010 and in Nyungwe National Park in 2020, and recognise Ms Claire Akamanzi for her unwavering support of Akagera and Nyungwe.
  • Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DPNW)
    The Zambian DNPW works to protect and conserve Zambia’s wildlife estates and to improve the quality of life among communities and maintain sustainable biodiversity. We began our work with the DNPW in Liuwa Plain National Park in 2003 and in the Bangweulu Wetlands in 2008. Dr Chuma Simukonda is the current Director.
  • Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) - Zambia
    The BRE is recognised by the Zambian Government as an official administrative entity in the Barotseland region and, as such, is an essential partner in the Liuwa Plain project. His Majesty Lubosi Imwiko II and the Limulunga Kuta (Parliament) played an instrumental role in convincing the Zambian Government to conclude an agreement with African Parks in 2003 and have maintained an active role in guiding the project through the participation of two BRE representatives on the Liuwa Board.
  • Zimbabwe Parks And Wildlife Management Authority (PWMA)
    he Zimbabwe PWMA operates under the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter20:14] of 2001. The Authority manages one of the largest estates in the country, about five million hectares of land, or 13% of Zimbabwe’s total land area. Mandated with the protection, management and administration of the wildlife of Zimbabwe, the Authority has had a proud history of sound management that endeavours to preserve the unique flora and fauna heritage of Zimbabwe.
  • The Angola Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment (MCTA) & the National Institute of Biodiversity and Conservation Areas (INBAC), Angola
    MCTA is the Ministerial Department responsible for the formulation, execution, and control of the Executive’s policy regarding environmental protection. This includes the preservation and conservation of environmental quality, pollution control, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, conservation areas and enhancement of the natural heritage, as well as the preservation and rational use of renewable natural resources. INBAC was created to ensure the implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Policy and management of the National System of Conservation Areas.