This report aims to provide an overview of the current status of protected area finance in the Southern and Eastern African region, covering 24 countries, to understand the extent of the challenge. The report also outlines the different innovative finance mechanisms that might be used to help decrease the funding gap. This report is meant to support protected area authorities and governments in understanding mechanisms for increasing funding for conservation management and to help the International Union for the Conservation of Nature design effective programmes that will help mitigate funding gaps and sustainability challenges for protected areas in Africa and support the capacity development of protected area managers.