While Namibia continues to record strong conservation and revenue gains, the growing frequency and severity of human-wildlife conflict are placing rural communities under pressure.
During the 2025/2026 financial year alone, 1 442 conflict incidents were reported, resulting in 10 human fatalities.
In response, the government paid out N$1.4 million in compensation to affected communities, while also providing additional support to bereaved families.
However, the scale of incidents highlights the increasing difficulty of balancing wildlife protection with human safety, particularly in areas where communities live in proximity to wildlife.
environment, Forestry, and tourism minister Indileni Daniel said this during her budget motivation.
For the 2026/2027 financial year, the ministry has been allocated N$736.8 million — a 7% reduction from the previous budget.
More critically, operational funding has been cut by 8%, placing increased strain on frontline conservation efforts, including wildlife monitoring, law enforcement, and rapid response to conflict incidents.
Daniel said that despite challenges, the ministry continues to invest heavily in protected area management.
A combined N$355.22 million has been allocated to Programmes One and Two, which support Namibia’s network of 20 national parks — covering roughly 17% of the country’s land area. These parks generated N$183 million in revenue in 2025, underscoring their economic significance.
According to her, community conservancies remain a key pillar in managing both conservation and conflict.
In 2025, conservancies generated N$106 million, with N$19 million reinvested into local development projects such as rural electrification, agriculture, and education. These initiatives play a crucial role in building resilience in communities most affected by wildlife-related risks.
At the same time, poaching continues to compound the pressure on conservation efforts. In 2025, Namibia lost 41 rhinos and four elephants to illegal hunting. Anti-poaching responses have been intensified, including the dehorning and immobilisation of 147 rhinos, as well as targeted wildlife translocations to reduce pressure in high-conflict areas.
She said that tourism-linked conservation is also delivering tangible benefits. Concessions awarded to communities living near protected areas created 121 jobs, reinforcing the link between conservation, economic opportunity, and local support for wildlife protection.
