Namibia stands at a critical juncture where conservation, industrial growth, and community development must be carefully balanced to secure sustainable and inclusive progress.
Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel said at the National Conference on Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) this week.
Addressing delegates under the theme “Enhancing Governance for Optimised Community Benefits,” Daniel highlighted the country’s CBNRM programme as one of Namibia’s most successful conservation and development initiatives.
“CBNRM is a global example of how rural communities can sustainably manage natural resources while unlocking economic and tourism opportunities,” she said.
Currently, Namibia has 87 registered conservancies and 48 community forests, covering over 186 000 square kilometres — roughly 60.7% of all communal land — and supporting an estimated 244 587 residents. In 2025, communal conservancies generated over N$109 million, reflecting their growing contribution to both conservation and local livelihoods.
Daniel said that the programme traces its roots to the 1980s, when traditional leaders and local communities united to combat poaching. Over the decades, it has evolved into a nationally recognised, government-supported initiative that now safeguards biodiversity, creates jobs, generates income, and improves livelihoods.
“The success of CBNRM demonstrates that conservation and development are not opposing forces but mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable growth,” Daniel said, noting the remarkable recovery of iconic species such as elephants, cheetahs, and black rhinos.
However, she warned that success should not breed complacency. Challenges persist, including weak governance and accountability in some conservancies, uneven benefit distribution, human-wildlife conflict, and external pressures against Namibia’s science-based hunting practices.
“Communities must see real, tangible benefits from conservancies, and governance must be strengthened where it is weak,” Daniel said. “Our policies must remain grounded in science, evidence, and national interest.”
She stressed that the programme’s achievements are built on strong partnerships between government, communities, civil society, the private sector, and traditional authorities — a model she said other countries could emulate.
As Namibia continues to grow, the minister said, ensuring that conservation and development work hand-in-hand will be crucial to sustaining both the environment and community prosperity.
