Governance Takes Centre Stage as ZELO Pushes Accountability at Conservation Summit

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation is participating in the 2026 Business of Conservation Conference, where debates are focusing on investment, governance and accountability in Africa’s conservation sector.

The conference is examining how conservation can shift from a donor-dependent model to one anchored on sustainable financing, structured partnerships and measurable impact.

This year’s objectives include raising awareness on the need to change the conservation narrative, showcasing innovative approaches, clarifying stakeholder roles in the “business of conservation,” and building a new generation of African conservation leaders.

ZELO’s Land and Natural Resources Unit Lead, Hazel Chimbiro, is speaking on a panel exploring what investments are necessary to ensure effective governance in community-led conservation initiatives.

ZELO argues that governance remains the missing link in many conservation models, maintaining that strong systems are essential for enforcing contracts, guaranteeing benefit sharing, ensuring compliance and strengthening accountability.

As conservation increasingly intersects with private capital and community-based resource management, discussions at the summit are expected to test whether governance reforms can keep pace with growing commercial and climate-financing interests in the sector.