The Revised National Anti-Poaching Strategy (NAPS) 2025–2030, developed under the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi Drylands Ecosystem Project (KGDEP), was launched on 22nd April 2025 in Gaborone, marking a major milestone in Botswana’s ongoing efforts to preserve its wildlife and natural heritage. At the launch event, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr. Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi, emphasized that 

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resident Representative Dr Balázs Horváth recalled that the persistent and growing threat of illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching of iconic species—such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs—was the primary driver behind the conceptualization of the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi Drylands Ecosystem Project (KGDEP). Despite Botswana’s notable achievements in strengthening its wildlife protection systems, these threats remain a critical concern.

Dr Balázs Horváth further emphasized that, in light of evolving global dynamics and the increasing complexity of wildlife crime, it was crucial to review and update the NAPS to ensure its continued relevance and alignment with emerging ecological and socio-political challenges.

The revised NAPS adopts a more inclusive approach, recognizing the vital role of communities living in and around protected areas. According to Dr Balázs Horváth, these communities represent the first line of defense in conservation and are central to any effective anti-poaching response. Community involvement—through benefit-sharing, livelihood enhancement, and participatory conservation—is, he noted, not merely a moral imperative but a strategic necessity.

The review and update of the NAPS were undertaken through close consultation with all relevant law enforcement stakeholders. Speaking at the event, the Minister for State President, Mr. Moeti C. Mohwasa, reaffirmed the Government’s full commitment to the implementation of the strategy, stating, "It is not merely a document—it is a unifying call to action, a vision for collaboration, and a reaffirmation of our high-level commitment as a nation that treasures its natural heritage." He further highlighted the strategy’s recognition of the transboundary nature of wildlife, underlining the importance of regional cooperation through platforms such as the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) and other regional initiatives addressing wildlife and environmental crime.

The KGDEP, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism with support from UNDP, seeks to promote an integrated landscape approach—striking a balance between biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and productive land use.