Knowledge exchange in action at Maputo National Park

Together with Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), the Maputo National Park (MNP) team, and the Maputo Conservation Company, MWA had the privilege to co-host a learning exchange on Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC) mitigation.

MWA presented the national three-phase HWC strategy and the Protected Farming Community (PFC) initiative, before joining field visits that showcased interventions in practice.

One of the highlights was a visit to the Mwai Protected Farming Community in Matutuíne District. This area, defined by sandy soils, rolling savannas, and seasonal watercourses leading into the Maputo River system, is home to elephants and buffalos that frequently cross community farmland. For local farmers, these iconic animals have long represented risk and loss.

In May 2025, in partnership with Conserve Global, MWA worked with 120 families in Mwai to establish a solar-powered electric fence protecting 14 hectares of land. What makes this site unique is that it began as a shared, uncultivated field — a blank slate chosen collectively to restart agricultural production in safety. Today, it stands as a symbol of resilience and collaboration, protecting crops from elephant raids while enabling food security and coexistence.

This exchange wasn’t just about sharing strategies. It was about showing how partnerships translate into real solutions - where conservation and communities meet on common ground.