Mbabane- A new E805 million conservation initiative is set to position Eswatini’s wildlife sector as a key driver of economic growth, with the proposed Big 5 Nature Reserve expected to attract investment, expand tourism opportunities and create jobs while protecting some of the country’s most valuable natural assets.
The project, launched during an inception workshop on Monday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hotel attended by government officials, development partners and conservation stakeholders, will establish an 87,000-hectare protected landscape in the Lubombo Region, creating one of the country’s most significant conservation and sustainable development investments to date.
Speaking at the workshop, the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta- Simelane, highlighted the project as a strategic economic opportunity that extends beyond wildlife protection, saying the initiative is designed to create jobs, attract investment and generate long-term benefits for communities living alongside protected areas.
The reserve will bring together existing protected areas and surrounding communities into a connected conservation landscape aimed at improving habitat corridors for the country’s iconic Big Five species – elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards.
A key feature of the initiative is its strong financial backing. The project has secured a direct grant of E 93 million (US$5.23M) from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), while leveraging more than E 805 million (US$43.5M) in co-financing from major partners including Big Game Parks, Mbuluzi Game Reserve, the Eswatini National Trust Commission and the Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation.
According to the minister, the level of co-investment demonstrates growing confidence in Eswatini’s conservation model and signals a shift in how environmental protection is increasingly being viewed by investors and development partners.
“This level of co-investment sends a very strong message. It demonstrates confidence in Eswatini’s conservation vision, national ownership and recognition that conservation is not a cost to development, but a strategic investment in the country’s future resilience and prosperity,” the minister said.
The initiative also aligns with national development priorities and international commitments under various United Nations agreements, including the recently launched United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
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