Combating Wildlife Crime in Southern Africa Activity

The Combating Wildlife Crime in Southern Africa Activity is a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract awarded by USAID/Southern Africa to provide technical assistance aimed at dramatically decreasing wildlife crime across the region. The contract features a four-year base period with a one-year option period. Its primary objectives are to coordinate learning from various landscape-based wildlife crime activities and to support strategic regional initiatives that address challenges falling outside specific landscapes. This effort supports shared commitments between the U.S. Government, the Southern Africa Development Community, member states, civil society, and private sector partners. The activity focuses on strengthening enforcement, reducing corruption, and building institutional capacity for prosecution to combat the poaching and trafficking of endangered species, particularly elephants and rhinoceroses. Implementation strategies emphasize the importance of nature-based tourism, local governance, and community engagement to provide sustainable livelihoods and deter illegal trade. Key geographic areas of focus include South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, and the Kavango-Zambezi Area. The program is designed to protect biodiversity and natural capital while mitigating the socio-economic impacts of organized criminal networks on regional stability and sustainable development.