Namibia is poised to unlock new economic and environmental value from its natural resources, as the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism finalises a groundbreaking Carbon Markets and Trading Policy. The draft policy, which has undergone comprehensive consultations and stakeholder validation, is now set to be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Environment Minister Indileni Daniel said the policy will lay the foundation for Namibia’s participation in global carbon markets, aligning the country with mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. It outlines robust systems for carbon credit certification, measurement, reporting, verification, and international engagement, all key to monetising Namibia’s carbon offset potential.

“Consultations and stakeholder validation have been completed, and the draft will be presented to Cabinet very soon,” Daniel stated.

But the Carbon Markets and Trading Policy is just one pillar of a sweeping policy reform agenda that aims to future-proof Namibia’s environmental governance and tourism sectors during the 2025–2026 financial year.

The ministry is also advancing work on the long-awaited Tourism Bill, which is still in early development. A consultant will be appointed in the second quarter to help draft the legislation. Simultaneously, the outdated 2008 Tourism Policy is being revised, with a working draft already in progress.

In another key update, the 2007 Wildlife and Tourism Concession Policy is undergoing internal review, with stakeholder engagements scheduled next. The review is expected to modernise the framework for granting tourism and conservation concessions on communal and state land.

Other reforms in the pipeline include proposed amendments to the Forest Act and regulations, which have completed public consultations and are being updated to reflect stakeholder input. Meanwhile, draft regulations for sand and gravel mining often overlooked but environmentally impactful, are being prepared for public feedback this quarter.

The ministry is also near completion of a national policy on prospecting and mining in protected areas, a move that could define the delicate balance between conservation and resource extraction. Final public consultations and validation are expected to conclude this month.

Two more instruments, the 2010 Devil’s Claw Utilisation Policy and the National Strategy for Forestry and Botanic Research, are currently under internal review. These policies aim to enhance the sustainable use of indigenous resources and guide scientific exploration in forestry and botany.

According to Minister Daniel, the ministry’s flurry of legal and policy initiatives reflects its constitutional duty under Article 95 to sustainably manage Namibia’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations.