Rwanda to mobilize $500m for biodiversity conservation initiatives

Rwanda is working to mobilize 500 million dollars for biodiversity conservation activities, according to the Minister of Environmental, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya.
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‎She said this during the official launch of the 11th Biodiversity Finance Dialogue for Africa and Arab countries, in Kigali, this Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
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‎The conference was organized by the Government of Rwanda and the United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN). It has brought together  more than 150 biodiversity-finance experts and senior government officials from over 55 countries across Africa and the Arab States.The event offers countries a platform to discuss strategies to increase biodiversity finance, exchange experiences on effective finance solutions, and accelerate the implementation of their Biodiversity Finance Plans.
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‎The BIOFIN Dialogue comes at a critical moment as countries work to update and implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Minister said, highlighting that in Rwanda, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative has been instrumental in identifying solutions and unlocking resources.

“We are working to mobilize 500 million dollars in line with Target 19 of our updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which seeks to mobilize financial resources from all sources: public, private, national, and international. The implementation of biodiversity finance solutions must now accelerate, and we must bring more actors especially the private sector and investors”.
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‎She said that there is a need of robust discussions on the reforms and initiatives that change the rule of the game.
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The Minister pointed out that Rwanda launched IremboPay – a digital platform that streamlines the collection of environmental fines and fees.

Since its launch in October 2024, IremboPay has processed over $122,000 in fines, all of which is being reinvested in conservation efforts such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and environmental education.

In addition, Rwanda integrated biodiversity finance into its Environmental Impact Assessments and is planning to establish a biodiversity-focused funding facility within its national environment and climate fund, FONERWA. This initiative will strengthen the country’s institutional capacity to finance conservation goals.

Other countries’ initiatives towards biodiversity finance

Zambia: A Green Bond Pioneer

Zambia issued its first green bond in 2023, valued at US$200 million. The funds are being directed toward renewable energy and biodiversity-related investments, supported by BIOFIN through technical advice and advocacy on green finance regulations and incentives.

Botswana: Revenue Gains from Protected Areas

Botswana revised its protected area fee structure, which generated an annual revenue increase of $7 million. The country also developed a protected areas resource mobilization plan and compiled an inventory of 45 subsidies that impact biodiversity – a foundation for future reform.

South Africa: Advancing Biodiversity Markets

South Africa has introduced biodiversity offset banking and a wildlife sector certification scheme. The country is also working with the private sector to integrate nature-related financial disclosures, laying the groundwork for greater transparency and investment in biodiversity.

Egypt: Institutionalizing Biodiversity Finance

Egypt finalized its National Biodiversity Finance Plan (2024–2030), marking a comprehensive approach to closing the biodiversity finance gap. The plan introduces performance-based budgeting, biodiversity offsets, and corporate social responsibility (CSR)-driven finance mechanisms.

Uganda: Ecosystem Services and Fiscal Innovation

Uganda launched a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme focused on Ramsar sites and developed a biodiversity index to guide ecological fiscal transfers (EFTs). These innovations support conservation while channeling more public finance towards nature.