Hope soars as Tanzania restores retention system to boost conservation and tourism

 

Many in the sector call for a 70% retention rate, citing rising conservation costs and mounting climate and wildlife pressures. Photo: Courtesy

By Adonis Byemelwa

There’s a renewed sense of hope sweeping through Tanzania’s conservation and tourism sectors. It follows a decisive move by the government to restore financial autonomy to two of the country’s most critical institutions—Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).

For years, these bodies—guardians of the country's prized natural heritage and engines of a $3.9 billion tourism economy—have grappled with financial constraints.

A policy requiring them to remit all revenues to the government’s consolidated fund effectively tied their hands. What followed was a slow, bureaucratic process of requesting funds from the Treasury—requests that were often delayed, underfunded, or unmet altogether.

The consequences? Routine patrols compromised. Infrastructure projects stalled. Conservation efforts hampered. And behind the statistics were real people and ecosystems—wildlife rangers unable to reach poaching hotspots on time, crumbling access roads isolating communities and tour operators, and international tourists arriving to find iconic destinations underfunded and underserved.

But that’s about to change.

In a bold announcement to Parliament on June 12, Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba declared the reinstatement of the retention system. Beginning in the upcoming fiscal year, TANAPA and NCAA will be allowed to retain 51 percent of the revenue they generate.

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) Executive Director, Elirehema Maturo. Photo: Courtesy

These funds will be held in special accounts at the Bank of Tanzania and disbursed with the Paymaster General’s approval. An additional 40 percent will go to the Consolidated Fund.

It's not quite the full return to the earlier model—under which these agencies retained 91 percent of their earnings—but it's a significant step in the right direction. For those who’ve been on the ground, lobbying for reform, this feels like more than policy—it feels like a breakthrough.

“This move is a lifeline,” said Elirehema Maturo, Executive Director of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO). “The ability to retain and directly manage their funds means TANAPA and NCAA can act faster, plan better, and maintain the standards international tourists expect.”

Indeed, the data paints a stark picture of how badly reform was needed. According to the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), TANAPA received just 5 percent—TZS 1.06 billion—of its TZS 23.03 billion approved infrastructure budget for 2023/24.

That’s a staggering 95 percent shortfall, leaving critical development efforts stranded. Trails meant to be paved, bridges meant to be reinforced, and facilities meant to be upgraded were left unfinished, if started at all.

Stakeholders say these aren’t just budget lines; they are the arteries of a tourism ecosystem that sustains thousands of livelihoods. Poor roads mean damaged vehicles. Damaged vehicles mean higher costs for tour companies. And all of it translates into a diminished experience for visitors, who may not come back.

The impact reaches beyond TANAPA and NCAA. It touches the daily lives of Maasai communities coexisting with wildlife in Ngorongoro. It affects tour guides, mechanics, drivers, hotel staff—ordinary Tanzanians whose futures are intertwined with the health of the country's parks and reserves.

“Conserving wildlife and natural resources isn’t cheap,” Maturo emphasized. “You need trucks, trained personnel, and regular maintenance. You can’t run a world-class conservation program on promises.”

For many, this policy shift signals a government finally listening, responding not just to reports, but to the on-the-ground reality of conservation in Tanzania. It’s a recognition that successful tourism starts with solid conservation and requires reliable funding.

Still, some experts urge that 51 percent may not be enough. Many within the sector advocate for a retention rate closer to 70 percent, citing the growing demands and costs of conservation in a rapidly changing world. As climate pressures intensify and wildlife corridors become more threatened, every coin counts.

That said, there’s widespread acknowledgment that the new system, even in its current form, is a powerful gesture of intent. A new chapter—rooted in trust, fiscal responsiveness, and shared responsibility—may be dawning.

Leaders, stakeholders say, have finally shown the foresight and political will to address what has long been a thorn in the side of conservation. Now the onus shifts to implementation.

The call is clear: ensure that these funds, once retained, are used effectively, transparently, and strategically. Because with better roads, more rangers, and stronger institutions, Tanzania’s protected areas won’t just survive—they’ll thrive.

And when that happens, the ripple effect will be felt far and wide—from the Serengeti’s golden plains to the global stage where Tanzania continues to shine as one of the world’s premier safari destinations.