29/05/2026
GOVERNMENT UNVEILS US$9 MILLION KAFUE FLATS RESTORATION DRIVE TO BOOST CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND LIVELIHOODS
Monze, Friday, 29th May, 2026 — Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba says the Kafue Flats ecosystem remains one of Zambia’s most strategic national assets, sustaining livelihoods, powering the economy and supporting food and water security for millions of people.
Launching the Kafue Flats Wildlife, Habitat, Health and Livelihoods Project (KAF-WILD) and the Kafue Flats Climate Resilience and Adaptation Project (KAF-ADAPT) at Samu Lya Moomba National Heritage Site in Monze District, Dr Chibamba said the ecosystem contributes 50 percent of Zambia’s hydropower generation, 44 percent of the national water supply and 40 percent of national sugar production, while also supporting over 150,000 free-ranging cattle and providing a critical source of livelihoods for communities across Southern, Central and Lusaka provinces.
“The Kafue Flats are not merely an ecological asset, but a source of identity, culture and economic survival for our communities,” Dr. Chibamba said.
He warned that despite its importance, the ecosystem is facing increasing pressure from climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, unsustainable land use practices and human-wildlife conflict.
He explained that the KAF-WILD project will focus on wildlife and habitat conservation, sustainable natural resource management and eco-tourism development, while the KAF-ADAPT project will promote climate-smart agriculture, water security and community-based climate adaptation interventions.
The projects, launched under the Global Environment Facility’s eighth replenishment cycle (GEF-8), are being implemented through the Kafue Flats Restoration Partnership involving the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the Ministry of Tourism through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, WWF Zambia and the International Crane Foundation, which is the implementing agency.
The initiative is regarded as one of the largest integrated environmental restoration, wildlife conservation and climate resilience programmes undertaken in the Kafue Flats in the last two decades.
Stretching across Southern and Central provinces, the Kafue Flats support communities in Namwala, Monze, Mazabuka, Shibuyunji, Mumbwa and Itezhi-Tezhi districts under the chiefdoms of Shakumbila, Muwezwa, Mungaila, Nalubamba, Hamusonde, Choongo and Mwanachingwala.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the combined value of the two projects is approximately US$9 million over a five-year implementation period, with cooperating partners contributing an additional US$700,000 annually towards restoration and management.
He said the projects are expected to improve the management of about 622,900 hectares of protected areas, restore more than 3,000 hectares of wetlands and directly benefit at least 15,000 people through livelihood and capacity development initiatives.
Dr. Chibamba further noted that over 25,000 hectares will be placed under climate-resilient management to help communities withstand droughts, floods and other climate-related shocks.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to protecting Zambia’s environment and promoting sustainable development pathways.
He urged implementing partners, traditional leaders and local communities to work together to ensure meaningful and lasting results.
“As we launch these projects, success will depend on collective ownership, transparency, accountability and active participation by all stakeholders,” he said.
The projects are also expected to strengthen community-based fire management systems, reduce poaching and wildlife crime, manage human-wildlife conflict and continue the removal of the invasive Mimosa pigra plant threatening wetland health.
The Kafue Flats are home to globally important wildlife species including the Kafue Lechwe, Wattled Cranes, Grey Crowned Cranes and critically endangered vultures. The floodplain is considered Africa’s most important habitat for Wattled Cranes.
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Namani Monze, who also attended the launch, said the event demonstrated Government’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection and the well-being of citizens.
He said the Kafue Flats remain a vital economic resource and a source of identity, culture and livelihoods for communities in Southern and Central provinces, while also holding global biodiversity significance.
Dr. Monze noted that the projects come at a critical time as they seek to protect wildlife and habitats, strengthen tourism and wildlife-based economies and support communities in adapting to climate change impacts such as droughts, floods and water scarcity.
He urged implementing partners to work closely with traditional leaders, local structures and government institutions to ensure meaningful and coordinated development.
Dr. Monze further appealed to cooperating partners to strengthen engagement with provincial and district administrations, stressing the importance of harmonising project activities with local culture, development priorities and community structures.
He said sustainable development can only succeed through consultation, shared responsibility and collaboration with local communities.
International Crane Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rich Beilfuss said the project would scale up conservation and restoration efforts already underway in the Kafue Flats.
He said it would also strengthen collaboration between Government, traditional leaders and local communities while identifying sustainable financing mechanisms for long-term conservation.
WWF Zambia Country Director Nalucha Nganga-Ziba said the organisation was honoured to collaborate with Government, noting that the projects would strengthen biodiversity conservation, water resource management and community livelihoods.
She added that Village Action Groups and Community Resource Boards would be empowered to better manage local conservation efforts.
“With increasing variability in seasonal conditions, these projects will strengthen community resilience to both water scarcity and flooding,” she said.
In a vote of thanks, His Royal Highness Senior Chief Nalubamba, in a speech read on his behalf by King Nalubamba, welcomed the initiative, noting that while different stakeholders view the Kafue Flats differently, its core value lies in sustaining both livelihoods and ecosystems.
He said for local communities, the floodplain is primarily a source of grazing land and survival for livestock, while for conservation partners it is a biodiversity hotspot.
“What should unite us is the renewed hope for a balanced Kafue Flats ecosystem that supports both people and nature,” he said.
The traditional leader expressed concern over continued habitat degradation, declining livestock carrying capacity and unsustainable land use practices, but reaffirmed commitment from traditional authorities to support Government initiatives.
He said chiefs would play a key role in community sensitisation, sustainable land management, conservation education and conflict resolution.
Senior Chief Nalubamba further urged continued engagement with local communities, stressing that women and youth must benefit meaningfully from the projects.
The projects, he said, must deliver visible improvements in livelihoods and resilience for rural households.
He also acknowledged Government and cooperating partners for involving traditional leaders as key stakeholders in natural resource governance.
The launch was attended by senior government officials, traditional leaders, cooperating partners, civil society organisations and representatives from the private sector.
MGEE Public Relations Unit
Pictures courtesy of Open Development Media
