The German government, through the KfW Development Bank, has donated vehicles, as well as park management and law enforcement equipment worth N$21.7 million to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in Windhoek.

The grant is in support of Namibia's efforts to combat wildlife crime. 

The donation includes 10 4x4 off-road vehicles, water maintenance, camping and IT equipment, as well as workshop tools.
Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, noted the significance of the donation at a time when the ministry finds itself battling an upsurge in wildlife crimes committed in national parks.

Shifeta said the equipment would be of valuable support to his ministry's efforts to protect the country's wildlife and manage national parks efficiently and effectively. "The support we are receiving today will continue to make a measurable, tangible difference towards augmenting current law enforcement and conservation initiatives."

The German Embassy's Head of Development Cooperation, Ulrike Metzger, said the donated items are particularly meant to help the ministry's staff on the ground in national parks. "Not only will these vehicles enable field staff to patrol national parks more extensively, but they will also ensure the safety of all staff when conducting their work in the field. The equipment is essential in terms of ensuring that all field staff are equipped and well prepared when spending time on the ground combating illegal wildlife crime." 

Namibia and Germany have a long-standing partnership in biodiversity and conservation management, dating back to 2013, said Wilhencia |Uiras, Executive Director at the National Planning Commission. "The main objective of the bilateral relations between the two is for the German government to help Namibia in efforts to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure, and sustainable use of natural resources as well as foster sustainable economic development. The bilateral cooperative development amounts to N$1 billion to date, which we learned is the highest fund of German per capita in sub-Sahara Africa."

The vehicles and equipment will be deployed in hotspot areas such as the Etosha National Park, Bwabwata National Park and tourist areas in the Kunene Region.