The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration

This case study examines the establishment and impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in Southern Africa, analyzing how these regional public goods facilitate regional integration through the cooperation of member states, NGOs, and the private sector.

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) aims to establish 18 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) to protect shared environmental assets and coordinate land use across member state borders. As of the report's writing, 10 such areas have been created over approximately two decades, ranging from formally established treaty-based parks to those in inception or treaty-signing phases.
• The Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), funded by businessman Anton Rupert, acted as a primary driver and fund manager for the TFCAs. Over time, the PPF shifted its role from an initiator to a facilitator and resource organization, adjusting its approach to ensure local communities participate fully in processes rather than being relocated.
• TFCAs face significant obstacles regarding law enforcement and wildlife poaching. Because law enforcement officials generally lack authority to operate in neighboring territories, poachers often exploit these jurisdictional gaps. The Greater Limpopo TFCA has faced threats from rhino poaching, leading to discussions about reintroducing fences to stop poachers moving between South Africa and Mozambique.
• There is conflict between wildlife conservation goals and the domestic beef industries in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Veterinarians and cattle farmers express concern that TFCAs facilitate the transmission of foot and mouth disease, which harms the cattle industry and could lead to calls for park closures.
• Regional integration through TFCAs is most successful where borders transect shared ethnic groups with common languages and cultures, such as the Zambian–Malawi border. In contrast, areas like the Swaziland–South Africa border see less progress due to strict border controls and a lack of cross-border cultural exchange.
• Member states often viewed as weak in regional integration, specifically Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have been very active in TFCAs. Angola has signed a treaty for the Kavango–Zambezi TFCA and participates in a uni-visa initiative alongside Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland, and South Africa.
• The SADC Secretariat provides political guidance and facilitates donor engagement but lacks the mandate for ground-level operational work. It often outsources the management of large grants to the PPF, while other entities like GIZ and the World Bank provide technical advice.

APA

Bertelsmann-Scott, T. (2013). The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf

Chicago

Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha. The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bertelsmann-Scott |first1=Talitha |title=The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bertelsmannscott2013impact, author = {Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha}, title = {{The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }