In May, Angolan President João Lourenço and a high-level ministerial delegation comprising the Governor of the Namibe Province, 16 ministers, traditional authorities, and other dignitaries, visited Iona National Park to inaugurate the newly constructed Pediva headquarters and to witness the release of the second group of Angolan giraffe to be reintroduced to the park.

In a continued effort to restore species diversity in the park, conservation NGO African Parks, which manages the park in partnership with the Government of Angola, reintroduced 13 Angolan giraffes (a subspecies of the southern giraffe) to the park in collaboration with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF).

Following their capture on a game farm in central Namibia, the animals were taken on a 1 300km journey in specially designed trucks to their new home in Angola. This is the second giraffe translocation that has been carried out in Iona in partnership with the GCF since mid-2023.

The construction of the Pediva headquarters, which constitutes a capital investment of US$2.5 million into Iona National Park, is the first permanent operational base of scale to be constructed in the park.

It will enable the entire park management team to be based in the park full time, and will form the central hub for all management activities.

These mark a critical step in the revitalisation of the park and are significant in boosting tourism and development in the region.

“The inauguration of Iona National Park includes nature conservation but also tourism,” said President Lourenço, “We have to get into the habit of practising tourism in our own land, so all Angolans are invited to come to Iona National Park.”

Through holistic management, which invests in biodiversity conservation, community development, and opportunities for park revenue generation, Iona has the potential to be a significant driver of sustainable socio-economic development.

Iona National Park is home to over 6 500 people. The core principle behind the management partnership is to ensure communities utilise the park's natural resources sustainably and within the ecological limits of the fragile ecosystem, for the benefit of future generations of Angolans.

“The inauguration of the headquarters for Iona National Park demonstrates President Lourenço's commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development, as well as guaranteeing the strengthening of management activities within the protected area,” said Augusto Archer de Sousa Mangueira, Governor of Namibe Province.

Key achievements

Iona National Park Manager, Pedro Monterroso, provided an overview of the park, the management partnership, and the key results achieved over the past four years during the opening ceremony of Pediva.

Since 2019, over US$3.3 million has been invested in local procurement, with 83% directed to Namibe Province. This commitment extends to local employment, with 97% of the 162-person park management team being Angolan, more than 60% of whom are from Namibe and nearly 40% from communities residing within the park itself.

Additionally, US$4.5 million has been allocated for local salaries and national taxes. Almost 60 tons of food and basic supplies have been provided to local communities, and over 340 students have benefited from educational support and scholarships.

Improved monitoring and research have confirmed the presence of over 500 species and have significantly enhanced the understanding of this vital ecosystem.

"This is a major stepping stone for the restoration of Iona National Park,” said Monterroso. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Environment, through the National Institute for Biodiversity and Conservation, for their partnership and support, and together we look forward to unlocking the full value of this globally significant protected area. We also express our appreciation to the GCF for their critical collaboration in this recent giraffe relocation.”

Boosting tourism

Discussions were also held about the Government of Angola and African Parks’ shared vision for boosting tourism in Iona.

The park boasts a unique landscape, a mere three-hour drive from Moçâmedes, the provincial capital. Its proximity to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park further enhances its appeal.

Iona's scenery, rich tapestry of flora and fauna, and cultural heritage position it as a significant natural resource for the nation. Improvements to park infrastructure, as well as the potential future reintroduction of key species all contribute towards ensuring a more viable tourist product.

Additionally, a diverse range of accommodation options will be developed to cater for domestic, regional, and international markets.

During his visit, President Lourenço highlighted his interest in exploring collaborative models for the management of other protected areas in Angola.