Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem services and human livelihoods, yet its global decline poses significant ecological and social challenges. Protected areas, including Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), enhance cross-border cooperation and sustainable development, particularly for rural communities. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has developed protocols, like the 1999 Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement, to support TFCA growth. Despite progress, issues like limited coordination and community involvement persist. The Transboundary Use and Protection of Natural Resources (TUPNR) programme, launched in 2012 by SADC and GIZ, aimed to harmonize national frameworks and encourage regional collaboration. Four pilot projects were evaluated by the Centre for Rural Development (SLE) using OECD/DAC criteria in 2014. The /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld TFCA case highlights the potential and challenges of cross-border conservation, focusing on local employment through kayak tourism. While communication between Namibian and South African communities improved, challenges like legal issues, competition, and passive community involvement remain. The Lubombo Conservancy-Goba TFCA encountered difficulties, especially in Mozambique, but community-based approaches in Swaziland show promise. Fire management efforts in the Kavango Zambezi TFCA faced delays in Angola due to legal barriers. The Songimvelo-Malolotja TFCA’s fire management project also faced slow progress due to resource limitations and administrative issues. Recommendations include securing additional funding, enhancing community training, and focusing on long-term, sustainable projects to ensure successful cross-border conservation and development.