This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, East African governments are facing unprecedented economic challenges. The region's economy is expected to contract by 1.6% in 2020, with the first recession in 25 years.
Despite these challenges, national governments must continue to plan for the future of their citizens. In East Africa, four countries - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda - traditionally allocate their budgets on the same day. This year, they allocated approximately $600 million, or 3.5% of the total development budget, to economic stimulus packages and social safety net programs.
The budget theme, 'Stimulating the Economy to Safeguard Livelihoods, Jobs, Businesses, and Industrial Recovery,' acknowledges the economic shocks caused by the pandemic, locusts, and floods in the region. However, conservation remains woefully underfunded, with allocations averaging 1.4% of total development expenditure in Kenya, 1.7% in Uganda, 3.8% in Rwanda, and 1% in Tanzania.
These allocations are in stark contrast to the sector's contribution to GDP, which averaged 8% in Kenya, 5% in Uganda, 10% in Rwanda, and 11% in Tanzania. The African Wildlife Foundation continues to counsel on how to curb future pandemics and build resilient economies.
According to an East African Business Council assessment, the region may lose up to $5.4 billion in tourism revenue due to travel restrictions and hotel booking cancellations. The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts a 30% increase in job losses, a 30% decrease in GDP contribution, and a 41% and 26% decrease in international and domestic travel, respectively.
Despite these challenges, East African governments have set aside approximately $200 million for special recovery funds, including the renovation of facilities, restructuring of business operations, and promotion and marketing of tourism. However, one cannot help but wonder what tourism ministries will be marketing if wildlife numbers start declining due to lack of funds to protected areas or increasing poverty levels that might force communities near wildlife-rich areas to turn to illicit practices that harm the ecosystem.
Wildlife is the chief attraction of East Africa's tourism sector, and it has received substantial investment from governments. Around 18% of the region's land and water resources are designated as protected areas. We cannot abandon this investment now.
Stopping illegal wildlife trade stops the spread of zoonotic diseases linked to the health sector. Protecting our forests leads to the safety of water catchment areas, which then leads to provision of better agricultural produce, deters famine, and improves livelihoods. Despite this evidence, conservation remains woefully underfunded.
As a result, conservation relies heavily on external funding and has been unable to become self-reliant. If donor funding starts declining, which has been the case so far, what happens to East Africa's wildlife? Predictions show an expected increase in unsustainable use of natural resources, including poaching. Will this lead to another pandemic?
Conservation is often seen as an impediment to exploitation of natural resources, infrastructure development, cheap energy, and expansion of economic activity. However, there is an opportunity to reconcile development and conservation goals by embracing ecological consciousness and valuing harmony with nature.
It is time for East African governments to prioritize conservation and ensure that it is not abandoned in the face of economic challenges. We must draw from our heritage and leapfrog into a new paradigm of progress that values harmony with nature.
Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya is the Chief Executive, African Wildlife Foundation.
