The program, currently being piloted at Volcanoes National Park, allows tourists to make symbolic financial contributions during real-time interactions with mountain gorillas through digital wallets, similar to accounts provided by mobile money platforms like MoMo. The funds can be used to protect gorilla habitats and enhance their well-being.

So far, 20 mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park have been successfully integrated into the system, enabling the apes to "pay" for essential conservation services like hiring park rangers who protect them.

Developed by Africa-based startup Tehanu, the initiative also incentivizes local communities to participate in wildlife conservation. For example, residents near the park can earn income by undertaking ecosystem-supporting tasks like photographing wildlife, recording animal sounds, or reporting sightings of specific species.

Gorilla tourism remains a key revenue stream for Rwanda, with visitors paying a minimum of $1,500 per person for gorilla trekking permits, which grant access to the park and an hour spent with the gorillas.

Jonathan Ledgard, the CEO and co-founder of Tehanu, told a local daily that the initiative not only enhances conservation funding but also deepens the connection between visitors and Rwanda’s iconic primates, offering a new dimension to eco-tourism in the region.

“By integrating both wildlife and humans into the financial system, the interspecies money initiative aims to create a circular economy that fosters mutual prosperity,” Ledgard told The New Times.

He added: “In Kigali, you can send money to your village using Momo. Now imagine a bat, a tree, or even a gorilla being able to receive and spend money, all for services that benefit them.”

In developing the digital platform, Tehanu leveraged artificial intelligence to understand the specific needs of the gorillas.

Gorilla tourism remains a key revenue stream for Rwanda, with visitors paying a minimum of $1,500 per person for gorilla trekking permits, which grant access to the park and an hour spent with the gorillas.

In 2023, the number of tourists visiting gorilla sites reached a historic high, growing by 29.4% to 25,927 visitors, according to an April report by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

The tourism sector also saw impressive growth, generating $650 million (Frw 832 billion) in revenue, marking a 35% increase compared to 2022.

Tehanu estimates that Rwanda’s mountain gorilla population has a financial value of approximately $1.4 billion, equivalent to about 10% of the country’s GDP.

So far, 20 mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park have been successfully integrated into the system, enabling the apes to "pay" for essential conservation services like hiring park rangers who protect them.