Well-managed parks generate revenue from job creation, tourism and other sustainable development projects, stimulating a conservation-led economy. When African Parks signed a management agreement for Akagera in 2010, the park employed 59 people. Today, over 300 full-time staff members are employed – the vast majority of whom are from local communities. The injection of funds into local economies via park staff salaries and the purchasing of local materials and services strengthen community ties and ensure the park’s long-term sustainability.
Akagera’s tourism has become a significant generator of revenue for the park, earning 97% of the park’s total annual revenue and welcoming over 56,000 visitors in 2024. All revenue generated from tourism is allocated to Akagera’s operational costs, reducing its reliance on donor funding and making the park more financially self-sustaining. Since 2010, Rwandan citizens have on average constituted over 40% of paying guests to the park, showing its value as an attraction and an asset in the country.
Akagera’s contribution to the Rwanda Tourism Revenue Sharing scheme – 10% of the park’s income – directly supports Rwandan citizens. This scheme is a government financial vehicle that ensures tourism revenue benefits communities around the park by funding infrastructure and micro-businesses and supporting local projects, including schools, healthcare and cooperatives.
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