Namibia has called for the legalisation of international trade in rhino horns, arguing that it could boost domestic demand for live rhinos, encourage private ownership, and expand habitats nationwide.
The proposal will be presented at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025. Namibia seeks to amend the annotation of its southern white rhino population within CITES Appendix II.
According to the submission, the proposed change would allow international trade in live animals for in-situ conservation only, hunting trophies, and rhino horn stocks owned by the government and private landowners. Seized horns and those of unknown origin would remain excluded.
Namibia’s white rhino population, the second-largest in the world after South Africa, faces persistent poaching threats driven by high horn prices, which can fetch around US$20,000 (N$354,000) per kilogram on the black market. In contrast, a live white rhino sells for about US$10,000 (N$177,000).
Approximately 77% of Namibia’s white rhinos live on privately owned freehold land. The government notes that landowners face steep security costs, including upgraded fencing, ranger patrols, and surveillance systems. Many have been forced to reduce or sell off their herds, shrinking available rhino habitat.
Those who keep rhinos often rely on tourism, trophy hunting, and live animal sales to cover protection expenses, but these income sources frequently fall short. As a result, some 12 million hectares of suitable freehold land remain unused for rhino conservation.
Population estimates for 2024, based on helicopter counts, dehorning data, and owner reports, stand at 1,500 white rhinos—1,161 privately owned and 339 in state-protected areas. Between 2005 and 2024, the population grew by an average of 6.7% annually, including imports from South Africa.
Namibia proposes an initial legal horn trade capped at 200 kilograms per year, under strict permit systems, DNA verification, and quotas. Authorities would monitor poaching rates, population trends, and trade volumes during the trial phase. The government believes regulated trade could tip the economic balance in favour of conservation, providing private custodians with the incentives to retain and expand rhino populations.
The proposal will be presented at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025. Namibia seeks to amend the annotation of its southern white rhino population within CITES Appendix II.
According to the submission, the proposed change would allow international trade in live animals for in-situ conservation only, hunting trophies, and rhino horn stocks owned by the government and private landowners. Seized horns and those of unknown origin would remain excluded.
Namibia’s white rhino population, the second-largest in the world after South Africa, faces persistent poaching threats driven by high horn prices, which can fetch around US$20,000 (N$354,000) per kilogram on the black market. In contrast, a live white rhino sells for about US$10,000 (N$177,000).
Approximately 77% of Namibia’s white rhinos live on privately owned freehold land. The government notes that landowners face steep security costs, including upgraded fencing, ranger patrols, and surveillance systems. Many have been forced to reduce or sell off their herds, shrinking available rhino habitat.
Those who keep rhinos often rely on tourism, trophy hunting, and live animal sales to cover protection expenses, but these income sources frequently fall short. As a result, some 12 million hectares of suitable freehold land remain unused for rhino conservation.
Population estimates for 2024, based on helicopter counts, dehorning data, and owner reports, stand at 1,500 white rhinos—1,161 privately owned and 339 in state-protected areas. Between 2005 and 2024, the population grew by an average of 6.7% annually, including imports from South Africa.
Namibia proposes an initial legal horn trade capped at 200 kilograms per year, under strict permit systems, DNA verification, and quotas. Authorities would monitor poaching rates, population trends, and trade volumes during the trial phase. The government believes regulated trade could tip the economic balance in favour of conservation, providing private custodians with the incentives to retain and expand rhino populations.
