FAO and NCRST Launch Namibia's First Bioeconomy Strategy
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Windhoek, Namibia - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently joined the National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology (NCRST) to officially launch Namibia’s very first Sustainable Bioeconomy Strategy 2024-2029. This landmark strategy, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation (MHETI), represents a significant milestone as Namibia becomes the second African country to adopt a National Bioeconomy Strategy.
The Namibia Sustainable Bioeconomy Strategy is the culmination of three years of dedicated work under the “Towards Sustainable Bioeconomy Guidelines” project, a global initiative by FAO aimed at supporting member countries in developing sustainable bioeconomy programmes. The project focuses on creating coherent strategies for a more sustainable agrifood system, encompassing development, implementation, and monitoring phases.
Since 2019, FAO and NCRST have conducted extensive policy stocktaking and analysis to establish a baseline for the bioeconomy landscape in Namibia. This process involved engaging stakeholders and organizing workshops with the National Bioeconomy Multisectoral Working Group. This group comprised of representatives from nine government ministries, private sector and non-governmental organizations, public enterprises, and academic institutions. The strategy also sought synergies with other national initiatives, such as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Given the importance of the agricultural sector and the use of biomass for energy, food, feed, and fiber production, the Strategy outlines a comprehensive framework of programmes and initiatives. These address critical challenges and leverage benefits from sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and health. The strategy aims to integrate bioeconomy activities into Namibia's national economic landscape, fostering innovation, conservation, and sustainable use of biological resources.
The launch event, held in Windhoek, featured notable speakers and stakeholders. Hon. Nathalia /Goagoses, Deputy Minister of MHETI, noted the significance of the Strategy and called for its successful implementation.
“All stakeholders involved must ensure that this does not just become another well articulated document that gathers dust. Proper monitoring and evaluation should be conducted periodically to ensure that the objectives of the Strategy are met,” she noted.
Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters, CEO of NCRST, highlighted the alignment of the strategy’s objectives with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), which focuses on ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
“The interlinkages between the SDGs with respect to building a sustainable and circular Bioeconomy are the core of the Strategy.”
Meanwhile, Ferdinard Mwapopi, Assistant FAO Representative - Programmes, who delivered the remarks on behalf of Qingyun Diao, FAO Representative in Namibia, noted that agrifood systems represent a vast opportunity within the global bioeconomy.
Mwapopi stated that by adopting bioeconomy principles, innovative solutions to various sustainable development challenges can be discovered, especially as we look ahead to 2050 when the world population is anticipated to grow to 9.7 billion people and food production needs to increase.
“Bioeconomy can offer viable and sustainable solutions. To meet this escalating demand, we must optimise our current resources, adopt environmentally friendly production and consumption practices, and establish inclusive value chains that empower all stakeholders,” said Mwapopi.
Dr. Lisho Mundia, MHETI Acting Deputy Executive Director and Director of Research, Innovation, and Training, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to investing in innovative research and infrastructure to spur the commercialization of bio-based products and processes.
The Namibia Sustainable Bioeconomy Strategy 2024-2029 is a pivotal step towards integrating bioeconomy activities into the national economic framework. With FAO's financial support and NCRST's coordination, the strategy promises to drive innovation, conservation, and sustainable utilization of biological resources, ensuring a vibrant and resilient bioeconomy for Namibia.
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