Globally, the GEF is the largest financier of biodiversity conservation, serving as the financial mechanism for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Its biodiversity focal area supports developing countries in protecting and sustainably managing their ecosystems, endangered species, and genetic resources while building the capacity of protected area systems and promoting nature-based solutions to development challenges. The GEF’s work in this area directly contributes to the Global Biodiversity Framework and its 30×30 target—aiming to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.

In Zimbabwe, this global focus translates into protecting the country’s internationally renowned wildlife and diverse ecosystems, which include expansive savannas, montane forests, and critical wetlands. A flagship initiative under this focal area is the Harnessing Natural Capital project in the Sebungwe Landscape — a US$5.68 million GEF-8 full-size project that aims to unlock the biodiversity potential of the Sebungwe Region by establishing a sustainable biodiversity economy. This project targets 494,000 hectares of protected areas while improving land management practices across 380,000 hectares of communal land, integrating conservation outcomes with community livelihoods and the regional green economy.

Complementing the Sebungwe initiative, the GEF has also invested significantly in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Region through a US$10 million full-size project that promotes an integrated landscape approach to managing wildlife resources, carbon, and ecosystem services in the face of climate change. Additionally, a Wildlife Economy Project launched in Tsholotsho, adjacent to Hwange National Park, empowers local communities by fostering sustainable and equitable wildlife conservation and resource utilisation. Across these projects, the GEF supports the strengthening of protected area management, anti-poaching efforts, and community-based enterprises, aligning with Zimbabwe’s national biodiversity targets while contributing to global conservation goals under the Convention on Biological Diversity.