Govt pushes for bigger slice of charcoal value chain

Environment minister Indileni Daniel has called for Namibia to stop exporting raw biomass products where local processing is possible, arguing that the country is sending jobs and economic opportunities overseas instead of nurturing them at home.Speaking at the Standard Bank Biomass Fair in Otjiwarongo last week, Daniel said the country's natural resources must deliver "shared, balanced prosperity" through job creation, youth empowerment and value addition."We must not export raw material and export the associated jobs with it," she said. "Our products should increasingly leave our borders processed, packaged, certified and carrying a Namibian brand."Daniel said government supports exports but encouraged businesses to boost the biomass value chain so that income, skills, taxes and employment remain in the country.She directed the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism's directorate of forestry to immediately begin a national stocktaking exercise as the National Strategy on Sustainable Management of Bush Resources 2022-2027 enters its final year.The review will assess the condition and sustainable use of bush resources, hectares thinned and restored, aftercare practices, permits and compliance, production and export flows, enterprises and jobs created, youth and women's participation, and barriers limiting investment."The results must provide a credible baseline for any expanded post-2027 response strategy," Daniel said.Add value at homeShe added that the ministry will work with the ministries responsible for industrialisation, agriculture, labour and finance, as well as the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the Namibia Standards Institution, to review policies aimed at progressively reducing exports of unpackaged and unbranded biomass products where local processing is feasible.Namibia has an estimated 45 million hectares affected by bush encroachment, including about 10.5 million hectares in the Otjozondjupa region.While bush encroachment reduces grazing capacity, groundwater recharge, biodiversity and rural incomes, the minister said it also presents opportunities to restore degraded land while developing industries producing charcoal, wood chips, animal feed, biochar and renewable energy products.Daniel linked the sector's growth potential to Namibia's unemployment challenge, noting that only 29.1% of the working-age population is employed, while national unemployment stands at 36.9% and youth unemployment at 44.4%.She said agriculture, forestry and fishing currently account for 88 277 jobs, adding that every investment in natural resources should ultimately be judged by the decent and sustainable employment it creates.Fuel the industryThe minister also pointed to a planned 40-megawatt Otjikoto Biomass Power Station, saying it is expected to consume about 245 000 tonnes of biomass fuel annually once operational.She said the project could create a reliable domestic market for farmers, small businesses, communities and biomass fuel suppliers while strengthening Namibia's electricity generation.Presenting at the same event, Agronomic Board member Salomo Mbai said the country's bush encroachment challenge, affecting between 30 million and 45 million hectares, has also created an export industry centred on charcoal and biomass products.He said the charcoal sector supports about 14 500 jobs and generates approximately N$1.5 billion annually from exports of wood charcoal and fuelwood, with South Africa, the European Union, the Middle East and the United States among Namibia's key markets.phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

Govt pushes for bigger slice of charcoal value chain

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-10

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Govt pushes for bigger slice of charcoal value chain

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-10

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