AGP Executive Report

Extreme Heat: Namibia is recording temperatures of 39–41°C, with a potentially strong El Niño threatening below-average rain and hotter conditions in 2026/27. Officials warn that crops, water supplies and grazing could come under further strain. Etosha Wildfires: Fires have affected 3,513 square kilometres—about 16% of the national park. Nearly 80 people are fighting the blazes, as heat up to 45°C and strong winds risk reigniting fires. Climate-Resilient Farming: Namibia and China are working together on improved seeds, mechanisation and irrigation-driven, climate-smart agriculture to strengthen food security as rainfall becomes less reliable. Wildlife Protection: A review of Namibia’s cheetah conservation programme found that guard dogs reduced livestock losses for most surveyed farmers, highlighting how practical support can help people and wildlife coexist.

Etosha Fires: Wildfires have affected 3,513 square kilometres — about 16% of Etosha National Park — as temperatures near 45°C and strong winds threaten firefighting efforts. Nearly 80 people are working to contain the blazes; no human or wildlife casualties had been reported by Saturday. Heat and Farming: A heatwave is gripping much of Namibia, while changing rains are putting pearl millet harvests at risk for women farmers. Kavango East youth are also taking up climate-smart farming, underscoring the push to build resilience in a hotter, less predictable climate. Wildlife Coexistence: A review of Namibia’s cheetah guard-dog programme found livestock losses fell for most surveyed farmers, offering a practical way to ease conflict between wildlife and rural communities.

Climate and Farming: Namibia’s heatwave is expected to last through the weekend. As changing rains put pearl millet harvests at risk, Namibia is also working with China on irrigation, seed development and climate-smart farming. Wildlife: A review of the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s guard-dog programme found that livestock losses fell for most surveyed farmers. Namibia’s black rhino conservation story offers another bright spot, while a new fence aims to protect pupils from desert lions. Energy and Nature: Namibia’s petroleum amendment bill creates a new regulator with responsibility for environmental compliance, as the oil boom puts green hydrogen ambitions to the test. At COP17, countries face a race to close gaps in biodiversity plans and meet 2030 nature goals. Water and Weather: An anticipated El Niño is among the risks flagged for Namibia’s economic outlook, adding urgency to efforts to strengthen resilience to heat and shifting rainfall.

Climate-Ready Farming: Namibia and China are exploring seed development, mechanisation and research as Namibia seeks to shift from rain-fed production to irrigation and climate-smart farming. Water Security: A new discussion distinguishes rainwater stored in soil from river and groundwater, highlighting why both matter for food production as fresh water grows scarcer. Wildlife Coexistence: A review of Cheetah Conservation Fund’s livestock-guarding dog programme found 91% of surveyed farmers reported fewer livestock losses, though some dogs also killed wild animals. Heat and Changing Rains: A heatwave is forecast to affect Namibia through the weekend, while shifting rainfall is putting women farmers’ pearl millet harvests at risk. Energy Transition: Namibia’s oil push is testing its green hydrogen ambitions, raising questions about how the country will balance fossil-fuel development with cleaner energy. Wildfire Response: Officials are being urged to strengthen Namibia’s response as fires threaten communities and the environment.

Climate & Farming: Changing rains are putting Namibia’s pearl millet harvests at risk, with women farmers adapting as a heatwave is forecast through the weekend. In Kavango East, a youth centre has been revived as a climate-action hub, alongside efforts to promote climate-smart farming. Wildlife Coexistence: A nearly N$100,000 fence is being built to protect pupils at Otjizeka Primary School from desert lions, addressing a safety concern for communities living alongside the endangered animals. Energy & Regulation: Parliament has passed the Petroleum Amendment Bill, creating an Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Office of the President with responsibility for monitoring environmental compliance in oil and gas operations. Land Protection: Namibia is developing new sand and gravel mining rules amid concerns that few permits are driving illegal extraction.

Heat and Water: Windhoek’s Olympia pool closed for two days as temperatures of 36–42°C were forecast across Namibia, with the heatwave expected to spread south. Climate-Smart Farming: Erratic rains are putting pearl millet harvests at risk in Ohangwena, prompting farmers to try more resilient varieties. Agribank lent N$366.9 million to farmers from April to August, while the government set aside N$40 million to buy surplus grain for reserves ahead of an anticipated El Niño. People and Wildlife: A nearly N$100,000 fence at Otjizeka Primary School aims to protect pupils from desert lions, addressing human-wildlife conflict while supporting coexistence. Industry and Environment: Green Metals Refining received environmental clearance for planned manganese and sulphuric acid plants in Walvis Bay after review of its environmental assessments. Conservation: WWF Namibia says wildlife recovery is possible when communities benefit, habitats stay connected and conservation partnerships endure. Wildfire Response: Environment Minister Indileni Daniel Ngurare has urged the ministry to strengthen its response to wildfires.

Extreme Heat: Namibia faces temperatures of 36°C to 42°C through the weekend. The Met Service warns of dehydration and heatstroke and urges people to drink water, seek shade and take extra care of babies and older people. Wildlife Coexistence: A nearly N$100,000 fence is being built to protect pupils at Otjizeka Primary School from desert lions, addressing a growing safety concern while supporting coexistence. Industrial Development: Green Metals Refining has received environmental clearance for a manganese refinery and sulphuric acid plant in Walvis Bay. The company says the projects aim to reduce emissions, waste and water use. Farming Under Pressure: Erratic rains are putting pearl millet harvests at risk in Ohangwena. Farmer Sesilia Silas has switched to a variety considered more resilient to unpredictable weather. Conservation: WWF Namibia says wildlife recovery is possible when communities benefit, habitats stay connected and partnerships endure, pointing to community-led efforts in the KAZA landscape. Wildfire Response: Environment Minister Indileni Daniel Ngurare has urged the ministry to strengthen its response to wildfires.

Extreme Heat: Namibia’s Meteorological Service warns temperatures could reach 42°C through the weekend, with northern and central regions hardest hit before the heat spreads south. People are urged to stay hydrated and limit time outdoors during the hottest hours. Wildfire Readiness: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has urged the environment ministry to strengthen prevention and response after last year’s fire damaged Etosha National Park. Plans include firebreaks, strategically placed water tankers and public awareness campaigns. Energy Choices: Oil exploration is advancing while green hydrogen projects face delays securing finance and buyers, putting Namibia’s energy transition under pressure. Parliament has also approved the petroleum amendment bill’s second reading; opposition concerns include shifting sector powers to the President’s office and questions over oversight. Climate Resilience: A relaunched youth centre in Kavango East will provide practical training in climate-smart farming, horticulture and sustainable production. Fishing Communities: Small-scale fishers say changing ocean conditions affect when they can go to sea and what they catch, and want a direct role in decisions affecting their livelihoods.

Desert Wildlife: A photograph of a grieving elephant carrying her dead calf in a Namibian riverbed has won international attention. The dry river channels, though waterless, sustain vegetation and guide elephants across arid landscapes. Energy and Oceans: Oil exploration is gathering pace while green hydrogen projects struggle to secure financing and buyers. A separate warning that offshore oil is advancing faster than marine laws raises concerns for ocean protection. Fishing Communities: Walvis Bay small-scale fishers say changing sea conditions threaten their livelihoods and want a real role in decisions affecting fisheries. Climate Action: A relaunched Kavango East youth centre is training young people in climate-smart farming, horticulture and sustainable production. Conservation: Namibia’s tourism accommodation occupancy reached 66.5% in the third quarter; rhino poaching incidents fell to 24 so far this year, compared with 43 in all of 2025. Swakopmund’s wildlife art competition is also raising support for local conservation projects.

Conservation Tourism: Namibia’s accommodation occupancy reached 66.5% in the third quarter, above 2025 and 2019 levels. Conservation-linked lodges performed well; rhino poaching fell to 24 cases so far this year, from 43 in 2025. Uranium Development: Deep Yellow has delayed its final investment decision on the Tumas project beyond December, citing weak equity markets. Early works remain funded, and environmental clearances have been renewed. Livestock Pressures: Foot-and-mouth restrictions are disrupting meat supplies, closing some Windhoek butcheries and forcing shoppers to travel further. Energy and Water: Mines Minister Modestus Amutse is urging Namibia and Angola to move the long-delayed Baynes hydropower project towards construction, citing energy security and industrial growth. Environmental Education: Nedbank’s N$150,000 grant will support NaDEET training educators and community leaders in water conservation, waste reduction and biodiversity protection. Wildlife: A WWF report says monitored vertebrate populations in Africa declined by an average 80% from 1970 to 2022, while noting that sustained conservation and community involvement can help populations recover.

Environmental Education: Nedbank Namibia has committed N$150,000 to NaDEET’s educator programme, training teachers and community leaders in water conservation, waste reduction and biodiversity protection. Sustainable Finance: Bank Windhoek says it classified N$147 million in sustainable loans during the 2026 financial year and is working toward a N$300 million target. Wildlife: WWF’s latest Living Planet Report says monitored vertebrate populations in Africa fell by an average 80% from 1970 to 2022; the figure tracks population size, not the total number of animals or species lost. Human-Wildlife Safety: A proposal for barriers at designated river access points could help protect northern communities after 27 people were killed in crocodile attacks between 2023 and 2026. Energy: Namibia’s energy stakeholders say digital tools could improve grid operations and help forecast renewable power, while the mining minister is urging Namibia and Angola to move the long-delayed Baynes hydropower project toward construction.

Human–Wildlife Safety: A proposal for barriers at designated river access points could help protect communities in northern Namibia, where crocodile attacks killed 27 people and injured 37 between 2023 and 2026. Oil Exploration: ReconAfrica has resumed horizontal drilling at Kavango West 1X after receiving environmental clearance and other permits; flow-test results are expected before year-end. Conservation Finance: Aid cuts are deepening funding gaps for conservation groups, while Indigenous-led funds and longer-term partnerships offer ways to get more support to local organizations. Green Investment: Namibia is among the African countries issuing green bonds, which can fund projects such as renewable energy, water systems and climate-resilient infrastructure. Mining Rules: Namibia is developing new rules for sand and gravel mining, as debate continues over how resource projects should balance economic returns with environmental protection.

Human-Wildlife Conflict: Crocodile attacks killed 27 people and injured 37 across Namibia’s northern rivers from 2023 to 2026. Authorities are considering barriers at designated river access points to make daily water use safer. Oil Exploration: ReconAfrica says horizontal drilling has begun at Kavango West 1X after receiving environmental clearance and an amended drilling permit; flow testing is expected after the sidetrack is completed. Sand Mining: Environment Minister Indileni Daniel says new rules will set penalties for illegal extraction and require environmental clearance, site rehabilitation and compliance monitoring. She reported 15 illegal-mining cases, mainly in north-central regions. Marine Protection: Concerns are growing that offshore oil exploration is advancing faster than Namibia’s marine laws. Researchers are also exploring acoustic technology to reduce conflict between fur seals and hake fishers. Conservation: A photograph of an elephant carrying her dead calf in Namibia won the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, bringing international attention to the country’s wildlife.

Mining Controls: Namibia is drafting standalone sand and gravel rules, with penalties for illegal extraction and requirements for environmental clearance, site rehabilitation and monitoring. The environment minister says 15 illegal-mining cases have been reported in the north-central regions. Marine Protection: Offshore oil activity is raising concerns about whether marine laws can keep pace, while renewed debate over phosphate mining highlights questions about risks to fisheries and the marine environment. Climate-Smart Farming: Namibia is seeking Chinese technology and investment to expand irrigation, improve research and support farming suited to local conditions. Energy Transition: Germany has committed N$103 million to support Namibia’s energy transition and rehabilitation of Ruacana. Wildlife: A photograph of an elephant carrying her dead calf in a Namibian riverbed has won a major international wildlife photography award, bringing global attention to the country’s wildlife.

Marine Resources: A renewed phosphate-mining debate pits promises of economic returns against concerns for Namibia’s fishing industry and marine environment. Mining Rules: Namibia is drafting sand and gravel regulations to strengthen enforcement, penalise illegal extraction and require environmental clearance, rehabilitation and monitoring; 15 illegal-mining cases have been reported. Community Sanitation: Otjozondjupa plans 50 more ventilated pit toilets, adding to more than 125 already built to improve access in rural communities. Climate-Smart Farming: Namibia is seeking Chinese technology and investment to expand irrigation, improve productivity and strengthen food security. Ocean Protection: Concerns are growing that offshore oil activity is advancing faster than marine laws, while acoustic technology is being explored to reduce conflict between fur seals and hake fishers. Conservation: Namibia’s community-led approach to wildlife recovery is drawing attention as a model for restoring wildlife.

Sand Mining: Namibia is drafting new rules for sand and gravel extraction, including penalties for illegal mining and requirements for environmental clearance, site rehabilitation and monitoring. The ministry says it has recorded 15 illegal-mining cases, mainly in the north-central regions. Climate-smart Farming: Namibia is seeking Chinese technology and investment to expand irrigation, improve seed varieties and move beyond rain-fed agriculture, while building local skills and production capacity. Coastal Protection: A report warns offshore oil development is moving ahead of Namibia’s marine laws; acoustic technology is also being explored to reduce conflict between fur seals and hake fishers. Urban Resilience: Windhoek residents have been urged to strengthen disaster preparedness as the capital targets greater resilience by 2030.