KILOMBERO, Tanzania – In the lush floodplains of the Kilombero Valley—the lifeblood for countless farmers and a sanctuary for globally significant wildlife—a new chapter is being written. This is a story not of conflict between development and conservation, but of a powerful, emerging partnership where a diverse coalition is charting a course for a future where people and nature don’t just coexist, but thrive together.
On August 13, 2025, in a pivotal gathering that could define the valley’s destiny for decades, key stakeholders convened for the Kilombero Multi-Stakeholder Workshop. Hosted by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the meeting was a forge, with the air thick with purpose. Its goal: to hammer out a unified strategy for a region at a critical crossroads.
At the heart of this movement is the AGCOT Centre, a core member of the platform’s secretariat. Long committed to agricultural growth, AGCOT has embraced a broader vision, reinforcing its dedication to a sustainable and inclusive green future. Building on the 2025 Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) commitments, AGCOT outlined a clear and ambitious agenda: to strengthen coordination in managing the delicate ecosystem, to empower the valley’s farmers with sustainable agricultural practices, and to champion inclusive growth that benefits every community along the AGCOT Corridors.
Chairing the workshop, Dr. Rozalia Rwegasira, the Assistant Administrative Secretary for the Morogoro Region’s Economic and Production Section, captured the spirit of the day.
“In the Kilombero Valley, we are building a future powered by partnership,” she declared, her words resonating with the collected leaders. “This platform has reinforced our collective resolve. By aligning the expertise of partners like AGCOT, AWF, and IUCN with government priorities and community needs, we can achieve truly inclusive growth. We move forward with a unified purpose: to secure a thriving, green, and prosperous future for all.”
This unified purpose is built on a foundation of clear, complementary roles, transforming a complex challenge into a manageable mission that operates like a finely tuned engine:
- The Central Government provides the national vision and policy framework, creating the enabling environment for these innovative public-private partnerships to flourish.
- The Regional Government offers crucial oversight, ensuring every initiative aligns with local development plans and answers directly to the needs of the people.
- The AGCOT Centre acts as the economic architect, driving corridor-based development by creating investment blueprints, advancing agricultural value chains, and brokering responsible investment that fuels progress.
- International Partners AWF and IUCN serve as the ecological guardians. They bring world-class conservation expertise, promoting conservation-led development (AWF) and fostering nature-based solutions (IUCN) to ensure the long-term health of the valley’s irreplaceable natural heritage.
As the workshop concluded, it was clear this was more than just a successful meeting. It was a testament to a new way of thinking—a practical, shared vision for a resilient and prosperous Kilombero Valley where conversations focused on synergy, not compromise.
For the farmers tilling the soil, for the wildlife roaming the grasslands, and for the future generations who will inherit this vital landscape, the path forward is now clearer than ever. With commitments anchored in a long-term vision, the Kilombero Valley Corridor now stands as a model for how coordinated action can turn ecological wealth into lasting prosperity.