‘Black gold’ creates youth jobs

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKThe De-Bushing Advisory Service (DAS), in collaboration with the youth ministry, has developed a charcoal and bush biomass business concept for young Namibians to enter the value chain.The concept was handed over to the youth ministry recently and the project for piloting charcoal production will be launched on Saturday at Gemsbokpan farm near Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region. The pilot phase will create jobs for 55 young people who will undergo civic training to instil discipline, a sense of responsibility and ownership, as well as harvesting and charcoal making skills. “We have seen an opportunity for youth employment in the biomass sector and its significance to the upliftment of the Namibian economy,” said the acting executive director in the youth ministry, Shivute Katamba, during the handover of concept.It is estimated that 45 million hectares of rangeland are severely affected by bush encroachment. Despite the negative consequences of bush encroachment, it creates opportunities and multiple benefits. Bush can be selectively harvested and processed to create income in the short term and help to restore rangeland in the long term.The Namibian biomass sector has almost doubled its employment from 6 000 to 11 000 within the past five years and put in place important measures ensuring environmental and social sustainability, such as internationally recognised sustainability certification standards. The goal is to further grow and modernise the sector. Black goldCharcoal production has become a major contributor to agricultural exports. In 2019 charcoal exports constituted 17% of total agricultural exports. Further, charcoal is one of the government’s growth focus sectors and a vital pillar in developing the overall bioeconomy in Namibia.“A vibrant bush-biomass sector will provide room for unskilled labour as well as for formal qualifications.“This is in line with strategic development goals and Namibia’s development agenda. This concept is an immediate solution to youth unemployment.“It provides a clear operational plan for sustainable charcoal production including capacity building, equipment, marketing, permitting process, and other resource needs.“It clearly identifies the opportunity in the biomass sector and links it to the current situation of unemployment.“The youth should successfully be trained in sustainable charcoal production in order to open up their own SMEs and expand employment opportunities for other Namibian youth,” said Progress Kashandula, CEO of N-BiG.Great opportunitiesYouth deputy minister Emma Kantema-Gaomas said commercialising the biomass resource for charcoal production provides great opportunities to young people.“The concept could not have come at a better time as the youth is the most affected by the economic crisis of job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a year like 2020. Every step we take towards self-sufficiency as a nation is everything that we need.”The youth ministry collaborated with the DAS, a capacity development division of the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG).Financial support for the concept development was provided by the government of Germany, through the Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation Project implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the environment ministry.

‘Black gold’ creates youth jobs

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-24

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‘Black gold’ creates youth jobs

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-24

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