Integrating Nature into Finance: Namibia’s Biodiversity Dialogue 2025

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – On the 2025 International Day for Biological Diversity, Namibia embraced the global call for “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development” by convening a dynamic high-level dialogue that brought together policymakers, academics, youth leaders, and biodiversity finance experts. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Namibia BIOFIN Team, the event fostered cross-sector collaboration to explore how the country’s extraordinary biodiversity can drive inclusive and sustainable national development.

Biodiversity as Economic Bedrock

Opening the dialogue, Dr. Chris Brown, CEO of the Namibian Chamber of Environment, emphasized that biodiversity is not a luxury—it's the backbone of Namibia’s food security, tourism industry, and rural livelihoods. “If we lose critical species, the impact is irreversible. Every farmer depends on biodiversity,” he warned.

He called for simplified, stakeholder-oriented communication to translate biodiversity’s economic and social value into language that farmers, investors, and youth understand. Dr. Brown also proposed bold but regulated approaches to financing, such as the legal trade of ivory and rhino horn, as potential avenues for job creation and conservation revenue, if governed with transparency and accountability.

Further, he advocated for stronger environmental accountability through mandatory adoption of governance frameworks like the King IV Report across Namibia’s corporate sector.

Innovating Biodiversity Finance

Mr. Romeo Muyanda of Namibia's Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) underscored the need to shift biodiversity finance from dependency on donor grants to self-sustaining, diversified mechanisms. “It’s not just about money—it’s about governance,” he said, reflecting on EIF’s journey to accreditation with the Green Climate Fund.

Muyanda highlighted emerging opportunities such as green bonds, biodiversity-linked lending, and smart agriculture investments. He emphasized the need for a co-investment model where the government, private sector, and communities work together to fund nature-based solutions. Importantly, he championed the role of digital storytelling and youth engagement in overcoming information gaps and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

Public-Private Partnerships for Nature

Ms. Hileni Stefanus from Namibia’s Ministry of Finance emphasized that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) could be tailored to unlock investments in biodiversity. “The private sector is not a competitor—it’s a collaborator,” she stated, advocating for bankable models that embed social and environmental safeguards from the outset. She called for the development of incentive structures and cross-sector investment plans to attract and sustain private sector participation in conservation.

Academic Institutions as Innovation Hubs

Professor Simon Angombe from the University of Namibia framed academia as a key driver of innovation in biodiversity finance. He called for a stronger research-to-policy pipeline that quantifies the value of biodiversity and translates it into investable models using tools like remote sensing and artificial intelligence. He also proposed biodiversity literacy training for parliamentarians to enhance national advocacy and policy alignment.

Youth as Agents of Change

Ms. Micky Kaapama, Co-Coordinator of the Namibia Youth Biodiversity Network, underscored the importance of integrating young people meaningfully into environmental decision-making. She highlighted youth-led initiatives like school environmental clubs and celebrated youth involvement in co-designing the national biodiversity theme.

“We are not future leaders—we are present actors,” Kaapama declared, urging for greater access to funding, training, and decision-making spaces. She pointed to the successful 2024 Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), supported by UNDP Namibia, as a model for inclusive youth engagement.

A Unified Vision for Nature and Development

The dialogue culminated in a shared vision: Namibia’s biodiversity is not just an environmental asset—it is a foundation for economic transformation, climate resilience, and national identity. Whether through sustainable tourism, nature-based enterprises, or community-led conservation, Namibia is poised to position biodiversity at the heart of development.

In the words of one participant, “Let us triple the value we get from nature—not just extract from it but grow with it.”

As Namibia advances toward the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, this dialogue serves as a clarion call to make biodiversity investable, relatable, and indispensable for all Namibians and for future generations.