The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, has called for greater investment in Namibia's biomass industry, saying the sector has the potential to create jobs, restore degraded land and drive economic growth.

Speaking at the official opening of the Standard Bank Biomass Fair and Industry Conference in Otjiwarongo, Daniel said this year's theme, "Powering Namibia's Bioeconomy," highlighted the need to move beyond bush harvesting towards building a diversified bio-economy through local value addition, industrialisation and renewable energy.

She said the government has prioritised bush control and biomass value chains under the Sixth National Development Plan, aligning the sector with national efforts to promote economic transformation, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment and industrial growth.

The Minister stressed that Namibia must move away from exporting unpackaged biomass products and instead focus on processing resources locally before they leave the country.

“Because it is as though we are exporting jobs and unbranded biomass products, even though local processing is feasible. Let us establish industries here to process these products. Recommendations must be submitted to the government for consideration, and it is at the policy level that we can move beyond where we are now. We support exports and value our international markets, but Namibia must move up the value chain.”

She also directed the Directorate of Forestry to immediately begin a national stocktake to assess the condition of bush resources, restoration efforts, production and export flows, investment barriers, and the number of enterprises and jobs created.

The findings will inform a new strategy to succeed the National Strategy on the Sustainable Management of Bush Resources when it expires in 2027.

Namibia Biomass Industry Group Chief Executive Officer, Progress Kashandula, who said what was once viewed as an environmental challenge, is increasingly becoming an economic opportunity.

“If there's one group that must remain at the center of this, it's our farmers. The commercial, resettlement, and communal farmers, to mention a few, are the custodians of this land and of the biomass we utilise today.”

Namibia Biomass Industry Group Board Chairperson Colin Lindeque highlighted that though overlooked, the biomass industry generates more than N$1.5 billion in annual export earnings and employs over 15 thousand people.

“This industry doesn't get nearly as much recognition in public attention as it deserves. If it got the attention that some other green industries get, I think we would've been a lot further along.”

Meanwhile, Otjozondjupa Governor John Khamuseb announced that the Namibia University of Science and Technology has established its Faculty of Agriculture in Otavi.

“Subjects of biomass will become one of the subjects taught in that facility so that we can harness and honestly work on the critical phase of Obama harvesting in the region.”

Standard Bank Namibia is the main sponsor of the Biomass Fair that will run until Saturday in Otjiwarongo.