AGP Executive Report

Drought Watch: Namibia is bracing for a below-normal 2026/27 rainy season, with climate scientists warning of drier conditions from October 2026 through March 2027 and above-normal temperatures across much of Southern Africa. Water & Resilience Policy: Environment Minister Indileni Daniel urged stronger global drought action at UNCCD COP17, saying Africa can’t afford more delays while communities lose livelihoods, livestock and crops. Agriculture Support Debate: A new analysis argues Namibia must shift from fragmented farm help to a deliberate national subsidy strategy to make agriculture competitive in a harsh, dry, drought-prone economy. Education Pressure Points: Despite N$24.8bn for education in 2025/26, shortages of classrooms, labs and water persist, with weak outcomes reflected in low grade distributions. Oil & Gas Investment Push: Industries Minister Modestus Amutse told investors Namibia’s Orange Basin is moving into development, highlighting investor protections and local content ambitions. Uranium & Energy Geopolitics: Russia’s deepening nuclear talks with Namibia raise questions about sovereignty and control of the uranium-to-energy value chain, as Langer Heinrich’s revenue jumped 71% on higher uranium sales. Coastal Mining Fight: The IPC opposes the Sandpiper offshore phosphate project after it received environmental clearance, citing environmental, social and public health concerns. Urban Mobility Funding Hit: Germany withdrew a N$200m grant for Windhoek’s sustainable transport plan after climate-financing thresholds weren’t met, pushing the city toward an electric bus proposal. Human-Wildlife Conflict: The APP backs crocodile attack victims demanding compensation and a clear mechanism for human-wildlife conflict support. Emergency Capacity: Windhoek received N$1.2m to train 40 firefighters and rescue trainees, expanding emergency preparedness through the city’s training centre.

Rain Outlook: Namibia is likely to see below-normal rainfall across much of the 2026/27 season, with above-normal temperatures also expected, raising pressure on water and farming planning. Drought Diplomacy: Namibia’s environment minister urged stronger global drought action at UNCCD COP17, warning that delays keep costing livelihoods, livestock and crops. Windhoek Mobility Funding: Germany has withdrawn a N$200m grant for Windhoek’s sustainable transport plan after a feasibility study found emissions and cycling gains wouldn’t meet climate-financing thresholds. Seabed Phosphate Fight: The IPC opposes Sandpiper Marine Phosphate, citing environmental and public health risks, while Namibia has granted environmental clearance for offshore phosphate dredging near Walvis Bay. Human-Wildlife Conflict: The All People’s Party backs crocodile attack victims in Kavango East, calling for a transparent compensation mechanism. Aquaculture Jobs Push: Namibia’s N$4bn Lüderitz salmon project is advancing, with plans to import salmon eggs and build a steady smolt supply. Local Skills & Safety: Windhoek received N$1.2m to train firefighters and rescue teams, and Navachab marked four million injury-free working hours. Critical Minerals Debate: New analysis argues critical minerals power depends less on owning deposits and more on processing and downstream control. Media Under Pressure: A report says environmental journalists in Namibia and across the region face arrest and intimidation when scrutinising oil and resource management.

Seabed phosphate fight: Namibia has granted environmental clearance for the Sandpiper offshore phosphate project near Walvis Bay, but the IPC says dredging could poison water, harm marine life and public health, pointing to damage reported in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru. Climate outlook: Scientists at SARCOF-33 warn Southern Africa, including Namibia, is likely to see below-normal rainfall from Oct 2026 to Mar 2027, with above-normal temperatures and El Niño strengthening. Windhoek mobility setback: Germany has withdrawn a N$200m grant for a sustainable urban transport plan after feasibility work showed lower-than-expected cycling uptake and insufficient carbon-cut impact for climate financing. Roads delivery boost: The Roads Authority launched an N$13m Project Control System to improve planning, monitoring and delivery across Namibia’s road network. Local mining and environment: The Chamber of Mines reports strong gold and uranium prices supporting producers despite uneven output, while Navachab marked 4 million working hours without a lost-time injury. Wildlife media pressure: A report says environmental journalists in Namibia and across the region face arrest and intimidation when scrutinising oil and natural resource management. Quiet tourism angle: A new “Noise-Free Nations” index ranks Namibia among the world’s quietest countries, citing low tourist density and protected land.

Seabed phosphate mine greenlit: Namibia has granted environmental clearance for the Sandpiper Project, a proposed offshore phosphate dredging operation about 120 km from Walvis Bay, targeting 3 million tons of concentrate a year—while critics warn dredging could stir up heavy metals and harm marine ecosystems and fishing livelihoods. Climate risk for Southern Africa: SARCOF-33 forecasts a strong El Niño shaping the 2026/27 rainy season with drier-than-normal conditions likely across central and southern areas (including Namibia) and wetter conditions in parts of the north. Wildlife crime enforcement push: The US ambassador urges Namibia to tackle the full wildlife-trafficking network behind rhino poaching, not just frontline poachers, pointing to long-running US support for investigations and prosecutions. Local ownership in uranium: Deep Yellow formalised a deal giving Namibian-owned Oponona Investments a 5% stake in Reptile Uranium Namibia as Tumas moves toward a 2026 Final Investment Decision. Mining safety milestone: Navachab (QKR Namibia) marks four million working hours without a Lost Time Injury, highlighting “Zero Harm” reporting and safety campaigns. Digital connectivity for rural areas: CRAN and NORED signed a five-year MoU to expand rural electrification and broadband, linking communications and energy infrastructure. Desertification warning: A UN desertification summit delivered new finance tools but fell short on a global agreement, with degraded land driving food-price shocks and wider economic strain. Press freedom under threat: A report says environmental journalists across sub-Saharan Africa face arrest, intimidation and violence, including cases tied to scrutiny of oil-resource management in Namibia.

Entrepreneurship & Digital Growth: Momentum Metropolitan and Basecamp launched “Metropolitan Founders Ignite” to back Namibian founders with training, networks and investment readiness. Housing & Basic Services: Namibia Housing Enterprise handed over 82 houses in Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement, as government cites a growing informal settlement population and a housing backlog above 270,000 units. Wildlife Protection & Law Enforcement: The US ambassador urged Namibia to target the full wildlife trafficking network behind rhino poaching, not just poachers, following a mission supported by over N$310m in US conservation enforcement aid. Climate Outlook: SARCOF-33 warns El Niño could bring drier conditions across central and southern SADC (including Namibia) and hotter temperatures, raising water and agriculture risks. Water Investment Diplomacy: GWPO and partners presented a Global Ambassadors’ Forum and a blended-finance de-risking facility to mobilise funding for water security projects. Mining, Jobs & Local Value: Deep Yellow secured 5% Namibian ownership in the Tumas uranium project via Oponona Investments, while Koryx reported a 969m continuous copper-bearing drill result at Haib. Food Security: Government allocated N$40m to buy grain from local millers to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access for farmers. Connectivity: CRAN and NORED signed a five-year MoU to expand rural electrification and broadband connectivity. Biodiversity Governance: Namibia’s ABS Advisory Committee met to strengthen access-and-benefit-sharing implementation so communities benefit from biological resources.

Climate Outlook: Southern Africa is bracing for a dry, hot rainy season as a strong El Niño is expected to bring below-normal rainfall across much of the SADC region, with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and parts of South Africa likely to face tougher conditions from late 2026 into early 2027. Water Security & Finance: At World Water Week, Namibia-backed partners unveiled a blended-finance “upstream de-risking” facility to help mobilise funding for priority water projects, including options like wastewater reuse, desalination and solar irrigation. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: The US urged Namibia to target the full wildlife trafficking network behind rhino poaching—following the money to disrupt illegal overseas markets, not just arresting poachers. Marine Environment Under Pressure: Namibia issued the world’s first clearance for a commercial seabed phosphate dredging operation, triggering legal challenges and fresh warnings from marine scientists about impacts on nutrient-rich Benguela Current waters. Biodiversity Benefits: Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing framework is moving ahead to ensure communities benefit from biological resources while protecting traditional knowledge. Mining & Jobs: Koryx Copper reported long, mineralised drill results at Haib, while a Kunene tailings recovery proposal aims to turn mining waste into local jobs and cleaner surroundings.

Seabed Mining Shock: Namibia has issued the world’s first clearance for a commercial seabed phosphate dredging operation near Walvis Bay, authorising Namibian Marine Phosphate’s Sandpiper project until 2029—sparking legal action from fishing groups and fresh warnings from marine scientists about impacts on Benguela Current feeding grounds. Drought Preparedness Push: Environment Minister Indileni Daniel says Namibia must shift from reacting to drought to investing in preparedness, early-warning systems, contingency planning, sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. Water Diplomacy: GWPO, with Namibia and South Africa, launched an inaugural Global Ambassadors’ Forum for Water and Economic Diplomacy at World Water Week, aiming to close a major water investment gap through diplomacy and cooperation. Food Security Funding: Government announced N$40m to procure grain from local farmers via AMTA to reduce post-harvest losses and fix market bottlenecks that leave harvests as waste. Green Procurement with Social Value: CPBN introduced CSR into tenders; Bethanie received N$64,886 in blankets, uniforms and sanitary pads tied to a railway upgrade contract. Recycling for Inclusion: Omaheke leaders backed new recycling initiatives linking environmental action with youth and women’s livelihoods.

Seabed Mining Shock: Namibia has issued the world’s first environmental clearance for a commercial deep-sea phosphate dredging operation off Walvis Bay, clearing Namibian Marine Phosphate’s Sandpiper project and triggering fresh legal and scientific backlash over sediment disturbance and fisheries impacts. Conservation Funding Boost: A nearly N$10m “rhino rescue” fundraising effort is sending money to African rhino protection projects across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Hunting Fees Divide: Stakeholders in //Kharas are split over proposed trophy hunting fee hikes of 100–300%, with concerns about jobs and business strain alongside calls for better funding for predator control. Recycling for Inclusion: Omaheke leaders and partners are backing new recycling initiatives aimed at cleaner communities plus youth and women’s livelihoods. Climate Readiness: Namibia urged SADC to strengthen meteorological services and early-warning systems as extreme weather risks rise, while rain showers are forecast for several regions. Fuel Supply Dispute: Namibia’s jet fuel shortage is blamed on a commercial quality-and-supply problem, not the government’s Vitol petrol-and-diesel deal. Local Green Energy Push: Aus infrastructure servicing is progressing toward green hydrogen and oil-and-gas growth along the Lüderitz-Aus corridor.

Offshore phosphate mining: Namibia has granted environmental clearance for Namibian Marine Phosphate’s Sandpiper Project, clearing the way for seabed dredging about 120 km off Walvis Bay to extract phosphate—despite long-running opposition from scientists and the fishing industry. Climate risk and early warning: Namibia urged SADC to boost investment in meteorological services and strengthen early-warning systems at SARCOF-33 in Swakopmund, calling early warning “the single most cost-effective tool” against climate disasters. Extreme food insecurity: The Kunene region faces severe hunger pressure, with reports of over 87,000 people at extreme risk of food insecurity, alongside calls for longer-term climate resilience funding. Green hydrogen push: Namibia’s Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility in Walvis Bay (Hydrogen Dune/CMB.TECH) is operating with solar power, hydrogen production, and storage—positioned to support industrial decarbonisation. Petroleum conference focus: NOGC 2026 wrapped in Windhoek with a clear message: Namibia’s oil and gas must deliver jobs, skills, local enterprise participation and long-term national value. Fuel supply disruption: Namibia’s jet A-1 shortage is linked to commercial arrangements and quality checks between fuel companies, not the government’s Vitol petrol/diesel supply deal. Wildlife and biodiversity spotlight: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 highlights include Arctic predator imagery, keeping conservation and biodiversity in the public eye.

Offshore phosphate fight: Namibia has granted environmental clearance for Namibian Marine Phosphate’s Sandpiper seabed project off Walvis Bay, clearing a key hurdle for a plan to dredge about 120km offshore and produce up to three million tonnes of phosphate concentrate a year—despite opposition from environmental groups and the fishing industry. Climate early-warning push: Namibia urged SADC to boost meteorological services and fund early-warning systems as climate risks rise, calling early warning “the single most cost-effective tool” for sectors like agriculture, water, health and disaster management. Fuel disruption explained: Namibia’s jet fuel shortage (Jet A-1) was linked to a commercial quality-control and supply arrangement between Puma and Vivo, not the government’s Vitol petrol/diesel deal; replacement product is expected to arrive soon. Food insecurity in Kunene: Over 87,000 Kunene residents face extreme food insecurity, with calls for longer-term climate resilience beyond drought relief. Health training in Hardap: Neonatal resuscitation and immediate newborn-care training is underway to cut preventable neonatal deaths. Green hydrogen momentum: Namibia showcased Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility in Walvis Bay, combining solar power, hydrogen production and energy storage.

Climate Resilience Push: Namibia urged SADC to boost meteorological investment and multi-hazard early-warning systems at SARCOF-33 in Swakopmund, stressing that forecasts must translate into action for agriculture, water, health, energy and disaster management. Green Hydrogen Momentum: Namibia showcased Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility in Walvis Bay, combining solar power, hydrogen production and storage to support industrial decarbonisation and resilience. Seabed Mining Alarm: Namibia granted environmental clearance for the Sandpiper offshore phosphate project near Walvis Bay, clearing a key hurdle for dredging plans—while fishing groups and conservationists warn of impacts and threaten challenges. Oil & Gas Local Benefits: The 4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference wrapped up with a clear demand for “decision to dividend” outcomes—jobs, skills, suppliers and long-term value for Namibians. Food Security Under Strain: Kunene faces extreme food insecurity for 78,495 people, with drought relief extended to 35,002 households and ongoing water shortages highlighted. Wildlife Tech: An AI-enabled rhino tracking collar is now deployed on nearly 2,000 animals across 60+ reserves, aiming to speed up anti-poaching response. Digital Economy Boost: CRAN’s entrepreneurship push in Oshakati urged Namibian businesses to scale beyond the small local market using digital tools.

Oil & Gas for Jobs: Namibia’s 4th Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek wrapped up with a push to turn petroleum “decisions” into “dividends” for Namibians—jobs, skills, local businesses and long-term national value. Green Hydrogen: Walvis Bay’s 5MW integrated green hydrogen facility is now operating, linking solar power, hydrogen production and storage to support cleaner industry and future maritime decarbonisation. Marine Phosphate Fight: Fishing workers in Walvis Bay protested after an Environmental Clearance Certificate was issued for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, warning of harm to seabed habitats, fish stocks and coastal livelihoods. Food Security in Kunene: Kunene faces extreme food insecurity, with 78,495 people at severe risk and drought relief extended to 35,002 households—alongside ongoing water borehole challenges. Wildlife & Carnivores: Conservation groups called for coordinated action to protect Namibia’s large carnivores as declining populations and human-wildlife conflict strain species survival. Forests Under Pressure: Illegal mopane tree uprooting for firewood is being reported in Oshana and Omusati, threatening forest regeneration. Local Skills & Education Funding: A parliamentary education committee urged sustained, adequate education financing and stronger industry-university links to build innovation and problem-solvers. Digital Entrepreneurship: CRAN’s Oshakati breakfast highlighted practical digital tools for entrepreneurs and communities to grow businesses and services.

Marine Phosphate Fight: Fishing workers in Walvis Bay protested after Namibia issued an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, warning seabed mining could damage habitats, fish stocks, jobs and coastal livelihoods. Forest Protection: Illegal mopane tree uprooting for firewood is escalating in Oshana and Omusati, with officials saying the practice kills live trees and threatens forest recovery. Wildlife Conservation Call: Namibia’s large-carnivore groups are urging coordinated action as human-wildlife conflict rises and several predator species face threatened or near-threat status. Green Hydrogen & Water Tech: A containerised HygO project at Kalahari Anib Lodge is testing wastewater treatment linked to green hydrogen and renewable energy for water-scarce resilience and sustainable tourism. Kelp Blue Scrutiny: Scientists question whether kelp-farm observations off Lüderitz prove real ecological recovery, urging clearer links between habitat use and fish population recovery. Food Security Push: Namibia targets producing 80% of national food by 2030 under NDP6, with emphasis on climate-smart production and stronger value chains. Youth & Skills for a Greener Economy: Leaders at the Ongwediva Trade Fair stressed aligning education with labour-market demand in areas like agriculture, renewable energy and green hydrogen, while the fair’s rapid growth is driving calls for expanded infrastructure.

Green Hydrogen in Walvis Bay: Namibia commissioned Africa’s first integrated green hydrogen facility at Walvis Bay, pairing a 5MW solar park with an electrolyser and battery storage to supply hydrogen for industrial and transport uses, including dual-fuel trucks and a hydrogen freight locomotive. Marine Conservation Scrutiny: Scientists question Kelp Blue’s giant kelp cultivation claims off Lüderitz, warning that seeing fish around structures doesn’t automatically prove habitat quality or fish population recovery. Wildlife Crime Enforcement: The US reaffirmed support for Namibia’s fight against wildlife trafficking after visiting the Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo, citing 50 cases heard and 47 convictions since the court opened in 2024. Trade Fair Expansion Pressure: President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 25th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and urged expansion of the Trade Fair Centre after 1,872 applications but only 485 accommodated. Education Standards: Namibia’s education ministry launched new norms and standards for schools and minimum operating procedures for hostels, aiming to improve safety, quality and accountability for learners. Leadership for Women: LEAP Africa concluded its fifth cohort for young African women, selecting 31 participants from Namibia and other countries for a Nairobi boot camp after an online learning phase. Noise and Nature Tourism: Bhutan topped a “quietest country” index, with Namibia ranked second—highlighting low noise linked to protected land and low-density development.

Wildlife crime crackdown: The U.S. reaffirmed support for Namibia’s fight against wildlife trafficking after visiting the Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo, which has handled 50 wildlife cases since opening in August 2024 and secured 47 convictions, underscoring that poaching is also organised transnational crime. Clean energy push: Namibia commissioned Africa’s first integrated green hydrogen facility at Walvis Bay, pairing a solar park, electrolyser and battery storage to produce green hydrogen for industrial and transport uses like dual-fuel trucks and a hydrogen freight locomotive. Green hydrogen + gas debate: At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, leaders stressed petroleum must create jobs, skills and local value, while separate commentary argues Namibia must decide where gas goes (including hydrogen and renewables) rather than letting oil momentum drive everything. Livestock safeguards: South Africa says foot-and-mouth disease is under control and has provided 50,000 vaccine doses to Namibia (plus Eswatini and Lesotho) to boost regional preparedness. Environmental tranquillity ranking: Bhutan was named the world’s quietest country, with Namibia close behind in second place on a noise-focused index that factors in protected land and low traffic density. Education standards (indirect environment link): The Education Ministry launched new norms and standards for schools and hostel operations, aiming to improve learner safety and quality learning conditions.