Reviewing the coherence and effectiveness of implementation of multilateral biodiversity agreements in Tanzania

This 2014 report evaluates the implementation of four biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in Tanzania. While the country possesses a strong legal and policy framework, overall implementation effectiveness is rated as moderate due to gaps in financing, monitoring, and enforcement. The report highlights a disparity in success between agreements, noting that while the CBD is performing well, CITES faces severe challenges from poaching and corruption. Despite the economic benefits of biodiversity through tourism, these gains rarely reach local communities.

• Tanzania demonstrates strong implementation in its legal and policy framework, having ratified all four biodiversity conventions and related agreements. However, the report notes that the review of these laws is not conducted on a regular basis.
• Implementation effectiveness is rated as moderate across ten categories, including institutional frameworks, national action plans, and stakeholder engagement. Key weaknesses include a lack of a formal monitoring and evaluation system for MEA implementation and limited public awareness due to the country's size and poor infrastructure.
• Four categories were scored as weak, specifically those related to environmental benefits, socio-economic benefits for local communities, and the overall achievement of objectives for certain MEAs. While biodiversity conservation has generally benefited the environment, significant threats remain, such as 90% of wetlands being polluted and 50% destroyed.
• There is a significant discrepancy in the effectiveness of different MEAs. The CBD is noted as performing well, whereas CITES is described as one of the most challenging due to serious poaching and the involvement of corrupt government officials.
• Financing for the implementation of biodiversity MEAs is largely dependent on external sources, including multilateral and bilateral donors and international NGOs, with only a small percentage provided by the Tanzanian government.
• While biodiversity conservation supports the tourism industry—which earned approximately USD 1.16 billion in 2009—financial benefits rarely reach the household level. A large share of revenues is retained by the government, local authorities, or investors.
• Tanzania engages in various cross-border cooperation initiatives, including the SADC Protocol on Wildlife Conservation, the Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika, and the Nairobi Convention. However, the report suggests that Tanzania lacks the resources for patrols and enforcement compared to some neighboring countries.

APA

Senyagwa, J., & Noel, S. (2014). Reviewing the coherence and effectiveness of implementation of multilateral biodiversity agreements in Tanzania. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PR-2014-Tanzania-multilateral-biodiversity-agreements.pdf

Chicago

Senyagwa, Jacqueline, and Stacey Noel. Reviewing the coherence and effectiveness of implementation of multilateral biodiversity agreements in Tanzania. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2014. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PR-2014-Tanzania-multilateral-biodiversity-agreements.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Senyagwa |first1=Jacqueline |last2=Noel |first2=Stacey |title=Reviewing the coherence and effectiveness of implementation of multilateral biodiversity agreements in Tanzania |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2014 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PR-2014-Tanzania-multilateral-biodiversity-agreements.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{senyagwa2014reviewing, author = {Senyagwa, Jacqueline and Noel, Stacey}, title = {{Reviewing the coherence and effectiveness of implementation of multilateral biodiversity agreements in Tanzania}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2014}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PR-2014-Tanzania-multilateral-biodiversity-agreements.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }