InFocus Namibia - November 2024

InFocus NAMIBIA NOVEMBER, 2024

AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

FOOD SECURITY Scan Me!

ISSN 2026-9080

-NO RAIN, NO YIELDS

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CONTENTS EDITION: NOVEMBER 2024

4

FROM THE EDITOR

5

QUICK FACTS

6

ECONOMY AT LARGE

11

KEY DATES

12

FUEL PRICES

14

ENERGY SECTOR

26

WATER

29

AGRICULTURE

Namibia and the IMF

Namibia Solar Energy Production Energy Skills Roadmap: Is it time?

Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Cooking Clash of Laws: City versus ECB Groundbreaking for the 40MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station Project

Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform: Water Regulation Awareness Campaign Namibia Dam Levels Update

Resilient Farming: Energy use Modernizing irrigation systems with renewable power

SPOTLIGHT 33 EXECUTIVE Spotlight on Mr. Ben Schernick

36

TENDERS

41

PRESS RELEASES

51

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

From The Editor It’s a lifeline! measures like these can help us mitigate the devastating impact of droughts, ensuring the continued viability of agriculture and the well-being of communities.

The government has already demonstrated its commitment to tackling this crisis. Collaborative efforts, such as the US$3 million mobilized with the United Nations for immediate aid and resilience building, as well as Agribank's drought relief subsidies, are commendable. The Bank of Namibia’s recent determination to support drought-affected farmers is another crucial step. These initiatives, though promising, must be scaled and sustained to secure long-term solutions.

Dear Reader, Welcome to another edition of InFocus Namibia!

Namibia’s persistent drought crisis has placed the nation’s food security at risk. In May 2024, the President (H. E. Nangolo Mbumba) declared a state of emergency as drought conditions gripped all 14 regions. This declaration underscored the urgency of the situation, as an alarming 38% of the population—1.15 million Namibians—were reported to face acute food insecurity between July and September 2024. The outlook for October 2024 to March 2025 is even graver, with projections indicating a 10% rise in affected individuals.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Namibia, sustaining livelihoods and fuelling economic growth. For the majority of Namibians, particularly those in rural areas, this sector is more than just an industry, “it is a lifeline”.

Whether through crop cultivation or livestock farming, agriculture provides food, income, and employment, improving lives across the country.

However, its potential is increasingly challenged by the harsh realities of climate change, with droughts being the most relentless adversary.

In this edition, we delve into groundbreaking ideas like agrivoltaics, a promising approach to resilient farming, and clean cooking technologies, which could revolutionize Namibia’s energy landscape. We also highlight the 40MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station—a transformative project linking agriculture and energy sectors to enhance food production. Other features captured include the Energy Skills Roadmap as a job creation tool and the ongoing debate between the City of Windhoek and the ECB. We thus hope you find this edition informative and encourage you to follow and engage with us on all our social media accounts as we continue to explore and discuss these vital issues.

As always, the conversation continues at infocus@rdjpublishing.africa .

Yours, editor@rdjpublishing.africa

(Grace Kangotue) Deputy Editor

(David A. Jarrett) Editor

Droughts, often unpredictable and prolonged, can disrupt not just water availability but also the entire agricultural value chain. Farmers struggle to irrigate crops and sustain livestock, leading to reduced food production, income losses, and an over-reliance on imported supplies. The ripple effects therefore extend to the economy, threatening livelihoods and exacerbating hunger. It is imperative for Namibia to proactively address these challenges.

NOTE 1: We welcome letters and articles from readers globally and require that you provide your full details such as name, current address and contact phone/WhatsApp number as well as email. We however reserve the right to amend, modify or reject submissions. You may also request that your details be withheld from publication.

As it is widely established, water conservation is key to building Namibia’s resilience. Starting from investing in irrigation systems and drought-tolerant crops to raising public awareness about sustainable water use. Pre-emptive

NOTE 2: InFocus Namibia is published monthly and is FREE to Readers.

The magazine is paid for by advertising and the research support from RDJ Consulting Services CC, Windhoek, Namibia.-

This report is a FREE Publication written and authored through collaboration with RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia.

The content is collected from publicly available information and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

RDJ Publishing (Pty) Ltd is the publishing home of the InFocus Namibia, written and authored through the collaboration with RDJ Consulting Services CC (www.rdjconsulting.co.za).

PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone +264 81 750 3010 Email info@rdjpublishing.africa WEBSITE www.rdjpublishing.africa

RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.

Quick Facts

N A M I B I A POPULATION 3,022,401.00 SIZE Male

1,474,224.00

87%

33.4%

LITERACY RATE (15+ YEARS) (2023)

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (2018)

Female

1,548,177.00

FOOD SECURITY

CURRENT SITUATION: JULY - SEPTEMBER 2024

151 359

0.56

7.25

GDP CONSTANT 2015 PRICES (N$ million) (2023)

GINI COEFFICIENT (2023)

REPO RATE (Oct 2024)

PHASE 5

3.00

11.00

PHASE 4

PRIME LENDING RATE (Oct 2024)

INFLATION (CPI)

PHASE 3

632 MW PHASE 2

ELECTRICITY DEMAND AT PEAK (2023)

PHASE 1

3,856,000 GWh TOTAL ELECTRICITY UNITS SOLD

Phase 5 (People in Catastrophe)

0

Sep-24

Phase 4 (People in Emergency)

88,000

Sep-24

Phase 3 (People in Crisis)

1,057,000

Sep-24

Phase 2 (People in Stressed)

766,000

Sep-24

Phase 1 (People in food security)

1,111,000

Sep-24

Local Energy Generation (%)

42%

Energy Imports (%)

58%

SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

Economy at Large Namibia and the IMF: AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

N

amibia joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September, 1990 and has had only one arrangement since joining. The IMF notes in its

December 2023 Report that “Oil exploration and developments related to prospective green hydrogen production have gathered momentum and represent an upside potential, although final investment decisions are yet to be announced”.

The Report also noted that public debt is a challenge and so the country should consider fiscal consolidation. Other findings pointed towards improved State-owned enterprise (SOE) performance and better business regulations supported by more predictable policy environment.

Specifically for the energy sector, the following was noted: New mineral discoveries and the investment in green energy provide an opportunity to boost growth, employment, and foster diversification. Strengthening the PPP framework and addressing constraints hampering entrepreneurship, including the regulatory burden, skill mismatches, and input costs (energy, water, and data) would help the Namibian economy benefit from the new investments.

Updating the statistical information on labor force and its skills profile will help tailor training efforts to emerging private sector opportunities. Accordingly, completing the

2023 census with a skills audit and a new labor force survey have gained added urgency. In this context, revising immigration laws to modernize and streamline the processes for attracting and bringing needed international expertise, and use it for local training is also critical.

This article is an extract from the IMF Country Report.

Under Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country's economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

Readings: https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/NAM https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/CR/2023 /English/1NAMEA2023002.ashx International Monetary Fund • Publication Services PO Box 92780 • Washington, D.C. 20090 Telephone: (202) 623-7430 • Fax: (202) 623-7201 E-mail: publications@imf.org Web: http://www.imf.org International Monetary Fund Washington, D.C.

Courtesy: Trendsresearch.org

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Annex I. Risk Assessment Matrix1 Source of Main Risks

Likelihood

Expected Impact on the Economy

Recommended Policy Response

Conjunctural Risks Intensification of Regional Conflict(s).

Escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine or other regional conflicts and resulting economic sanctions disrupt trade (e.g., energy, food, tourism, and/or critical supply chain components), remittances, FDI and financial flows, and payment systems, and lead to refugee flows.

High

High. Limited direct trade and financial links to Russia and Ukraine. However, higher global energy and food prices could further increase inflation, worsen the external position, and put additional pressures on reserves, slow down the recovery and increase poverty and inequality.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s, and seeking affordable external financing (if needed) would support reserves and the currency peg.

Provide targeted support to vulnerable households to mitigate the impact of higher fuel and food prices.

Commodity Price Volatility.

A succession of supply disruptions (e.g., due to conflicts, uncertainty, and export restrictions) and demand fluctuations causes recurrent commodity price volatility, external and fiscal pressures in EMDEs, contagion effects, and social and economic instability.

High

High. Higher international oil and food prices would increase inflation, put additional pressure on international reserves, slow down economic recovery and increase poverty and inequality.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s, and seeking affordable external financing would support reserves and the currency peg.

Provide targeted support to vulnerable households to mitigate the impact of higher fuel and food prices.

Abrupt Global Slowdown or Recession.

Global and idiosyncratic risk factors combine to cause a synchronized sharp growth downturn, with recessions in some countries, adverse spillovers through trade and financial channels, and market fragmentation causing sudden stops in EMDEs.

Medium

High. Slower global demand for commodities would negatively impact the mining sector, worsen the fiscal and current account positions, add pressures on reserves, and weaken growth.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s, and seeking affordable external financing would support reserves and the currency peg.

Accelerate structural reforms to support the private and foster economic diversification and alternative sources of growth.

Social Discontent.

High inflation, real income loss, and spillovers from crises in other countries (including migration) worsen inequality, trigger social unrest, and give rise to financing pressures and detrimental populist policies. This exacerbates imbalances, slows growth, and triggers market repricing.

Medium

High. Slower global demand for commodities would negatively impact the mining sector with spillovers to the economy, worsen the fiscal and current account positions, add pressures on reserves, and weaken growth.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s, and seeking affordable external financing would support reserves and the currency peg.

Accelerate structural reforms to support the private and foster economic diversification and alternative sources of growth.

1 Based on the latest G-RAM (July 21, 2023). The Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) shows events that could materially alter the baseline path. The relative likelihood is the staff’s subjective assessment of the risks surrounding the baseline (“low” is meant to indicate a probability below 10 percent, “medium” a probability between 10 and 30 percent, and “high” a probability between 30 and 50 percent). The RAM reflects staff views on the source of risks and overall level of concern as of the time of discussions with the authorities. Non-mutually exclusive risks may interact and materialize jointly. The conjunctural shocks and scenario highlight risks that may materialize over a shorter horizon (between 12 to 18 months) given the current baseline. Structural risks are those that are likely to remain salient over a longer horizon.

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Source of Main Risks

Likelihood

Expected Impact on the Economy

Recommended Policy Response

Conjunctural Risks Monetary Policy Miscalibration.

Amid high economic uncertainty and financial sector fragility, major central banks pause monetary policy tightening or pivot to loosen policy stance prematurely, de-anchoring inflation expectations, triggering a wage-price spiral and spillovers to financial markets.

Medium

Medium. Slower growth and higher financing cost deteriorating the fiscal balance and worsening the debt level; lower commodity prices translating into larger current account and fiscal imbalances; lower capital inflows.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s and seeking affordable external financing would support reserves and the currency peg.

Systemic Financial Instability.

Sharp swings in real interest rates and risk premia, and asset repricing amid economic slowdowns and policy shifts trigger insolvencies in countries with weak banks or nonbank financial institutions, causing market dislocations and adverse cross-border spillovers.

Medium

Medium. Slower growth and higher financing costs deteriorating the fiscal balance and worsening the debt level; lower commodity prices translating into larger current account and fiscal imbalances; lower capital inflows.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s and seeking affordable external financing would support reserves and the currency peg.

Sovereign Debt Distress.

Domino effects of higher global interest rates, a growth slowdown in AEs, and/or disorderly debt events in some EMDEs spillover to other highly indebted countries, resulting in capital outflows, an increase in risk premia, and loss of market access.

Medium

Medium. Slower growth and higher financing costs deteriorating the fiscal balance and worsening the debt level; lower commodity prices translating into larger current account and fiscal imbalances; lower capital inflows.

Accelerating fiscal adjustment, raising the policy rate, possibly above South Africa’s and seeking affordable external financing would support reserves and the currency peg.

Structural Risks Deepening Geo-Economic Fragmentation.

Broader and deeper conflict(s) and weakened international cooperation leading to a more rapid reconfiguration of trade and FDI, supply disruptions, technological and payments systems fragmentation, rising input costs, financial instability, a fracturing of international monetary and financial systems, and lower potential growth.

High

Medium. Limited direct trade and financial links to Russia and Ukraine.

However, higher global energy and food prices could further increase the inflationary pressure.

Provide targeted support to vulnerable households to ensure inclusive recovery.

Cyberthreats.

Cyberattacks on physical or digital infrastructure (including digital currency and crypto assets ecosystems) or misuse of AI technologies trigger financial and economic instability.

Medium

Medium. Financial and economic instability.

Improve protection of digital infrastructure against hacking attempts.

Develop business continuity plan.

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Source of Main Risks

Likelihood

Expected Impact on the Economy

Recommended Policy Response

Structural Risks Extreme Climate Events.

Extreme climate events driven by rising temperatures cause loss of human lives, severe damage to infrastructure, supply disruptions, lower growth, and financial instability.

Medium

Medium. Damage to infrastructure, disruptions to economic activities, and increasing water and food shortages will reduce medium-term growth and increase inflationary pressures.

Invest in climate proofing of infrastructure.

Support climate resilient agriculture.

Provide targeted support to vulnerable households.

Domestic Risks Incomplete or Weak Policy Medium Implementation, that undermines confidence in the government’s fiscal adjustment plans (e.g., triggered by political and capacity constraints) and materialization of contingent liabilities.

High. Rising public debt, and tighter budget financing; declining international reserves; possible disorderly fiscal adjustment and deterioration in financial sector’s asset quality.

Increase buffers, identify permanent spending reductions and revenue mobilization measures that support long-term development. Accelerate reforms of public extra budgetary entities, continue policies restraining the wage bill, strengthen upfront incentives for early retirement and retraining.

Implement mitigating measures for the most vulnerable. Monitor and manage key fiscal risks and financial sector vulnerabilities.

Protracted Drought and Climate Change in Southern Africa, that causes water shortages, frequent flood, and lower production.

Medium. Higher food prices; lower electricity production; fiscal costs to support farmers and rural population; higher unemployment.

Implement adaptation measures to climate shocks. Accelerate the structural transformation of the economy.

Provide targeted support to affected households.

Medium

Courtesy: www.forbes.com

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Key Dates SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

Bank of Namibia: Monetary Policy Announcement Dates Date

Announcement

4 December 2024

Monetary Policy Announcement

Monetary Policy Announcement - October (Published 16 October 2024)

7.25 % repo rate

Namibia Statistics Agency: Consumer Price Index-CPI 2024 Announcement Dates Date

Document

05 December 2024

Consumer Price Index (CPI), November 2024

Annual Inflation Rate - October (Published 07 November 2024)

3.00% Inflation rate

Monthly Inflation Rate 2024 6.00%

5.00%

5.40% 5.00% 4.50%

4.00%

4.80%

4.90%

4.60%

4.60%

4.40%

3.40%

3.00%

3.00% 2.00%

1.00%

0.00%

Jan-24

Feb-24

InFocus NAMIBIA AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

Mar-24

Apr-24

May-24

www.rdjpublishing.africa

Jun-24

Jul-24

Aug-24

Sep-24

Oct-24

11

Fuel Prices November 2024 Fuel Prices Update

NAMIBIA

SOUTH AFRICA

ANGOLA

NIGERIA

BOTSWANA

Petrol

Diesel

Effective as of 01 November 2024

Effective as of 01 November 2024

N$ 20.25/ US$ 1.16

N$ 19.72/ US$ 1.13

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

Effective as of 11 November 2024

Effective as of 11 November 2024

R 20.90/ US$ 1.15

R 21.17/ US$ 1.17

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

Effective as of 11 November 2024

Effective as of 11 November 2024

Kz 300.00/ US$ 0.32

Kz 200.00/ US$ 0.21

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

Effective as of 11 November 2024

Effective as of 11 November 2024

₦ 1,030.46/ US$ 0.61

₦ 1,418.83/ US$ 0.84

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

Effective as of 11 November 2024

Effective as of 11 November 2024

P 14.75/

US$ 1.08

P 14.94/ US$ 1.09

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

The US$ equivalent refers to current exchange rates (November 2024) Data Source: www.mme.gov.na, theglobaleconomy.com

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY LANDSCAPE

About Us

Our Services:

RDJ Consulting is a 100% Namibian Energy and Sustainability Consultancy with more than 30 years’ experience in the utility (Water, Energy and Telecoms), rural development and transport sectors. ​Our experience as an integrated professional services firm that builds better communities through planning, design, and delivery of physical and social infrastructure helps support our clients in all aspects going forward.

Advisory Services

Market Data & Studies

We approach each of our clients with fresh eyes to develop customized, unique strategies.

RDJ Consulting based in Windhoek, Namibia has extensive experience in Southern Africa, Asia, Britain, USA and the Caribbean. We thus work with various governments and agencies to address development issues in developing countries.

Due Diligence

Training

Contact us TEL: +264 81 750 3002

info@rdjconsulting.co.za

www.rdjconsulting.co.za

Energy Sector Namibia Solar Energy Production Solar energy is abundant in Namibia. These are the modelled amounts of MWh’s of energy that can be produced by 100 MWp of solar photovoltaic (solar panels) if they were installed in the central areas of Namibia.

What these graphs teach us is the quantity and pattern of production that can be expected if such a plant existed.

Solar Production 2024 (month to-date) Avg Energy MWh (100 MWp) Estimated 20,000.00

15,000.00

13,350.00 ct -2 4

13,950.00

11,969.00

11,129.00 -2 4

Se p24

9,873.00 4

9,597.00

15,329.85 ar -2 4

12,735.20

14,871.40 b24

5,000.00

14,717.95

16,081.76 n24

10,000.00

Assumed MWh’s of electricity production by month.

SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

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Energy Skills Roadmap: Is it time?

AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: Getty Images

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A

s Namibia contemplates its move into the wider global challenges of energy provision, can an Energy Skills Roadmap be the answer towards

comprehensive jobs development?

The shift to alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and hydrogen will undoubtedly create increased demand necessitating more minerals, logistic systems and most importantly, jobs. In furtherance of a Just Energy Transition, new jobs will be created as well as new centres of excellence in new geographies.

An Energy Skills Roadmap is therefore a strategic plan designed to guide the development of the workforce required to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector. It outlines the key skills and competencies needed for individuals working in the energy industry, taking into account any technological advancements or potentially commercial innovations, policy changes, and the transition to more sustainable energy systems.

The roadmap helps government, commercial and academia, identify gaps in the current skill base, forecast future skill requirements, and ensure that training and education programs are aligned with the needs of the sector.

What Skills?

Skills development will be needed for: Circuit design, power generation, and integration of solar panels into the grid.

Design solar power systems (both residential and commercial).

Energy storage systems (such as batteries or other storage technologies) for off-grid or grid-tied solar system.

The design, operation, and maintenance of solar thermal (used for heating or concentrated solar power) systems.

Circuit design, power generation, and integration of wind power into the grid.

Design wind power systems (both residential and commercial).

Energy storage systems (such as batteries or other storage technologies) for off-grid or grid-tied wind power system.

Training the workforce in green hydrogen technologies such as electrolysers and pipeline build and operations will also be needed, given Namibia’s ambitions in this field.

Is the Education Sector ready?

Traditional education systems are as expected geared up for traditional skill sets. Namibia has a strong education system that covers the needed curricula from High School to Postgraduate level 10 qualifications. What will be needed however are industry ready individuals, exposed through at a minimum to Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and better still, Industries eager to hire them.

With unemployment at its current levels, there is a temptation to move for quick fixes. So a well-planned Energy Skills Roadmap that covers all the energy sectors, allowing for synergies will be our best bet.

Courtesy: Getty Images

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Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Cooking AUTHOR: Lahja Amaambo Specialist and Policy Analyst – Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Courtesy: https://pesitho.com/ecoca-east-africa/

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R

ural cooking technologies come in many forms, such as the traditional cooking technologies, and clean cooking technologies. The traditional cooking

technologies are basically simple structure with a fire underneath that is not sufficiently enclosed to reduce smoke from burning solid fuels. The clean cooking technologies range from energy efficient cookstoves to clean fuels such as biogas, and these have been widely promoted globally, among others to reduce household air pollution, alleviate health and environmental consequences.

An improved traditional stove, which can fall under category of clean cooking technologies, is an enclosed stove that burns solid fuel, but keeps heat from escaping and improves combustion, thereby reducing smoke. Most improved cookstoves exhibit poor performance against the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended indoor air quality guidelines. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), induction stoves, and biogas digesters are tier 4 clean cooking technologies with emissions below the WHO’s recommended indoor air quality guidelines, in the household use environment.

Clean fuels and technologies are those that attain the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) levels recommended in the WHO global air quality guidelines (2021). The WHO Guidelines for indoor air quality: household fuel combustion (2014) provide PM2.5 and CO emission rate targets for devices, which are linked to the levels from the Air Quality Guidelines. The WHO’s official reporting on progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 - “Affordable and Clean Energy” to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all will use this categorization. The following fuels and

technologies are known to be clean for health at point of use and are categorized as clean for PM and CO household emissions: solar, electric, biogas, natural gas, LPG, and alcohol fuels including ethanol.

For other fuel/technology combinations including biomass, the cooking system is classified as clean if it meets the emission rate targets in the WHO Guidelines (2014), as confirmed in laboratory testing following an international laboratory testing protocol with tests conducted by a third party. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), using these ISO 19867-3 Voluntary performance targets (VPTs) for cookstoves based on laboratory testing, a stove that achieves Tier 4 or Tier 5 for PM2.5 emissions based on the voluntary performance targets (VPTs) is classified as clean for PM2.5 emissions. Stoves must also be classified as Tier 5 for CO emissions to be considered clean for health.

According to Modern Cooking Facility for Africa (MCFA) Programe over 2.3 billion people globally and almost 900 million people in Sub-Saharan African countries lack access to modern and clean cooking solutions. That Africa is the only region in the world where access to clean cooking solutions has not kept pace with population growth. MCFA programme aimed to provide up to 4 million Africans with access to clean cooking solutions, starting in countries of DRC – Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The other aim is to have a big positive environmental impact, mitigating deforestation, and avoiding CO2 emissions, also improving overall health and economic growth in project countries. MCFA financial support access to and scale up to high-tier clean cooking solutions.

ISO VPT Tier

WHO Category for CO

WHO Category for PM2.5

5

Clean

Clean

4

Transitional

Clean

3

Transitional

Transitional

2

Polluting

Polluting

1

Polluting

Polluting

0

Polluting

Polluting

Source: https://www.who.int/tools/clean-household-energy-solutions-toolkit/module-7-defining-clean

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Promoting clean cooking technologies to the affected communities have been challenging in many parts of the world. The challenges range from socio-economic and technical aspects. Among others, poor consultation on introduction of technologies and lack of coordination of isolated projects, technical failures/ poor performance of technologies, lack of quick repair of technologies, lack of general technical and social support nearby etc. However, if projects are properly introduced through consultation, more awareness and doing demonstrations on how successfully technologies are used, programmes tend to be successful.

Some Energy Efficient Stoves Introduced in Namibia: 1) Under a theme “SMALL SCALE BIO ENERGY PROJECT” the Directorate of Energy, in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, in 1996 initiated a process to develop the use of biomass energy for cooking and heating. One of the concerns is that about 80% of all rural households in Namibia rely on wood fuel as their main source of energy, and it is likely that the majority of Namibia's rural population will continue to rely on traditional cooking energy sources in the near future.

The other concern is the situation of deforestation in large parts of Namibia.

In June 1998, a National Steering Committee on the National Biomass Energy Conservation Program was established. The main objective of this committee was to put in place a national biomass energy management strategy and measures that will contribute to the sustainable utilization and supply of traditional biomass energy for private households and industries in Namibia.

The initiatives that follow are: A pilot project on developing a small-scale production of biomass efficient stoves and/or fuel briquettes, was implemented in two selected villages in the period of October 1998 – May 1999. The overall objectives of this pilot project were to design and develop cost-efficient biomass stoves and briquettes, establish production facilities, and to set up commercial structures necessary to manufacture and market the stoves and fuel briquette.

The project "rural biomass energy small-scale workshops" has been developed based on this pilot project.

There are students with the diploma certifying that they have successfully completed course in production of stoves.

2) According to MME, energy policy includes promotion and awareness of renewable energy (RE), providing adequate financing for RE and institutional and capacity building.

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Therefore, the ministry is promoting and encouraging communities to also make use of solar stoves and cookers that save firewood, electricity, and other fuels. The solar cooker is modern and comfortable without emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and thus helps to preserve nature.

These remarks were said during a hand over of solar cookers to parents of learners from Dr Frans Aupa Indongo Primary School, by the Directorate of Energy in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, in 2010, and commended the school for taking such initiative.

3) With the assistance of the Desert Research Foundation funds were secured from the Small Grants Program (SGP) – Namibia, for a project titled “Donkerbos community pilot project on climate change adaptation”. Donkerbos is in the remote plains of Kalahari Desert. One of the project objectives is to introduce a tsotso stove - a fuel-efficient stove as an alternative to the use of firewood. The benefits of using the stove: It only uses a few twigs to make a fire for cooking, heating, or a quick cup of tea to welcome guests; Helps in the fight against deforestation - which at current rates has become unsustainable; It also provides much needed heat in winter, it can be used indoors during rain seasons and enables family time around the fire - a tradition valued by many Namibians, and the most important added benefit is that it reduces the time that women need to gather firewood and, because there is less smoke, it lessens the chances of developing respiratory diseases.

Four artisans attended a two-week workshop to gain technical skills and were able to produce a stove for each household in Donkerbos. The wish of the trainers is to increase production of these stoves and equivalent products from galvanized sheets for sale to the rest of the country to give every Namibian the chance to join the fight against climate change.

4) Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) in partnership with Spanish Red Cross implemented a European Union (EU) funded project with the objective of contributing to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change within rural vulnerable communities in Northern Communal Areas by “Promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in 9 targeted rural communities in Kavango and Zambezi regions”. Starting in March 2017, with a budget of almost N$7,500,000 (500,000€), 80% EU contribution and 20% Spanish Red Cross contribution, the intervention aimed at introducing solar powered irrigation infrastructure systems in 8 selected community gardens in both Kavango (East & West) and Zambezi Region. To increase the use of selected renewable forms of energy and integrating energy efficiency technologies at household level in 9 communities in those regions.

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During 26 months of the implementation more than 2 000 people benefited directly from the intervention which encapsulated the following main components: Installation of solar-powered water infrastructure in community gardens.

Constructions of energy efficient cooking stoves demos and promote replication.

Distribution of solar lamps to households.

Capacity building on renewable energy and energy efficient technologies through awareness sessions and training.

The initiative was successfully implemented with the support of Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the Namibia Energy Institute-Namibia University of Science and Technology. Most of the rural population in the targeted areas of the action relied on biomass for cooking, much of which is done using an open fire. The approach used: First step of the activity started analyzing local available stove alternatives that replace the traditional 3 stone fires.

Then engagement of the targeted communities: the acceptance of the energy efficient stove by community members was an indispensable criteria taken into consideration before - hand; investigate if there were existing knowledge regarding the use of energy efficient stoves and other forms of renewable energies; check current communities experiences including using local materials that could enable NRCS consider communities knowledge in order to ensure that actions were implemented on informed grounds.

Among the key findings indicated that some energy efficient stoves were constructed with materials not affordable by communities; further, it required high technical skills and tools to construct. That a model was then identified which could be constructed with locally available materials, at zero cost and which would allow Red Cross volunteers and community members to be easily trained on the construction to facilitate the roll-out of the stoves to other community members. The stove was named Elephant Cook Stove by the beneficiaries and is constructed from easily available local materials such as clay soil, sand, ash and straws.

Achievement: A huge number of trained volunteers and community members facilitated the roll out construction which towards the end of December 2018 reached 319 stoves in both regions (124 in Zambezi and 195 in Kavango East and West) benefiting about 2500 beneficiaries. Another good news, is that the acceptance of the stove is so high that despite the end of the project, roll-out construction continues to be active beyond the implementation period.

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5) In February 2024, the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform and the Office of the Regional Governor of Kunene have announced the successful handover of 750 goats and 300 energy-efficient stoves under the “Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management (IREMA) Kunene Project”, funded by the Green Climate Fund, in Khorixas, Kunene region.

The Manager of Programming and Programmes at EIF, emphasized the significance of the IREMA project in responding to recurrent droughts in the Kunene region. The project focuses on alternative farming practices, particularly the introduction of Boer goats as a resilient alternative to cattle farming. Additionally, the project addresses deforestation through the distribution of energyefficient stoves that require less wood, contributing to environmental sustainability.

6) On the news, in 2023, Kaoko Green Energy Solutions (Pty) Ltd and Impact Hydrogen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which these companies have set their sights on developing a revolutionary hydrogen gas stove specifically designed for cooking purposes.

The MoU on a “Collaborative Framework on hycooker usage, production, sustainable development and investment opportunities in Namibia” was signed during a Business Forum titled “Green Hydrogen and Energy Transition”. “That this innovative stove will not only provide a sustainable and efficient cooking solution but will also democratize the benefits of the hydrogen economy by making it accessible to every Namibian, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” noted the partners.

The objectives of introducing different improved traditional stoves are almost similar, most are on fighting deforestation, address the scarcity of woodfuel, and combat health related issues. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the implementation of Modern Cooking Facility for Africa -MCFA Programe in Kenya and Mozambique has components of access to finance, business development support, and enabling environment support.

Africa Case Studies Kenya agreements have been signed with producers of clean cooking stoves using pellets and solar / biomass technology, ACE Hybrid Energy Kenya Limited and Better Cooking Company Limited, which trades under the name EcoSafi. These companies started their operations in Kenya in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

ACE Hybrid Energy Kenya target to sell its own design ACE One gasifier stoves – 13000 units in Kenya eastern coast by the end of year 2028.

The stove features: ACE One is a solar/biomass hybrid

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Courtesy: https://www.preo.org/projects/burn-bringing-energy-efficient-cookstoves-within-reach-of-low-income-families/

energy system, a forced-draft gasifier stove that can burn any type of solid biomass cleanly.

- The stove includes PAYGo functionality and internet aspect for usage monitoring.

EcoSafi will sell efficient stoves, of their own design, to Kenyans and will supply pellet fuel made from agricultural waste. Their target is 25000 units by year 2028.

up of the of the project, conduct monitoring, put feedback mechanisms in place and evaluation before replication of the project. And also, target larger groups to have a meaningful positive impact. Many projects tend to be done in isolation, without coordination with key players in the targeted areas / policymakers. Effective coordination is essential for providing solutions to challenges, facilitating replication, and ensuring thorough documentation.

Also, an agreement has been signed between HomeBiogas Ventures Limited in Kenya, and MCFA. The company started its operations in Kenya in 2022 installing biogas systems for farmers. The target is to install 34000 units to small-scale farmers in western and central of Kenya.

Readings:

In Mozambique the MCFA partners with ENGIE Energy Access Mozambique to expand sustainable cooking solutions with EUR 1.3 million in funding. To provide clean cooking solutions in Mozambique by scaling up access to innovative biodigester technology in rural areas of the country. The company aims to provide 2,000 clean cooking services, i.e. stoves and biodigesters, benefitting some 10,000 people in Mozambique’s three southern provinces by the end of 2028.

In summary, considering the success of some of the projects, the overall learning from those projects can be crucial for the key players to include in the implementation stage. In addition, proper consultation with targeted beneficiaries, increase awareness campaigns on the technology’s benefits, train locals on repairs and where possible the use local available materials, support the start-

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https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aab0af/pdf https://www.iea.org/reports/a-vision-for-clean-cooking-access-forall/graphic-differences-in-clean-cooking-technologies https://www.who.int/tools/clean-household-energy-solutionstoolkit/module-7-defining-clean https://www.mme.gov.na/energy/small_scale_bio.php https://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2010/06/namibia-promotessolarstoves/index.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20ministry%20is%20pro moting%20and,preserve%20nature%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20add ed. https://drfn.org.na/project/tstosto-stoves-handover-donkerbos https://www2.cruzroja.es/documents/114097690/114438848/13_7080 +Case+Study+on+Energy+Efficient+Stove.pdf/afd159e6-bad3-f5a8b09f-4dce29e835dc?t=1580208954083 https://www.eif.org.na/post/media-release-revolving-goats-andenergy-efficient-stoves Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking SEE Clean Cooking https://nambusinessexpress.com/?p=2624 https://www.moderncooking.africa/#:~:text=Over%202.3%20billion %20people%20globally,kept%20pace%20with%20population%20gro wth

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Clash of Laws: City versus ECB AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: Canva

C

an the current impasse between the City of Windhoek municipality and the electricity regulator, the Electricity Control Board of Namibia be a Goliath

versus Goliath matter? The City of Windhoek (CoW) operates under the Local Authorities (LA) Act 23 of 1992 (as amended), while the Electricity Control Board of Namibia (ECB) is mandated to act under the Electricity Act 4 of 2007.

So why can’t two state entities with clear responsibilities not agree?

The matter is a historical problem that has now found itself integrated into consumer challenges with the municipality trying to recover debts noted under the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992 (as amended). While we are not legal officers and this is NOT a legal piece, we feel that the matter is important enough and of public interest. The ECB has when looking at the creation of a Regional Electricity Distributor (RED) that covers central Namibia, noted that the CoW was the “biggest electricity distributor in the region”.

However, the impacted municipal residents of CoW are now caught up in the tussle between the two entities over the powers for blocking of prepaid electricity meters for other debts to the municipality.

Several residents of the municipality that have disputed unpaid debts have found their prepaid electricity meters blocked until arrangements are made to clear their debts.

This has led to in the first instance for the ECB issue a directive to the CoW for the blocking of prepaid meters.

The Cow in response has now taken the matter to the courts for a ruling leaving the ECB to pause any action it may take against a licensee for failing to comply with a directive.

Whatever the ruling, our concerns are what will happen to the disconnected consumers in the interim?

We await the ruling with bated breath.

Readings:

Sections of the LA Act clearly allows for debt recovery by the Municipality while the Electricity Act gives power to the ECB to license those that provide electricity to others.

https://www.observer24.com.na/cow-wont-be-able-to-supplyelectricity-effectively/ https://thebrief.com.na/2024/11/pending-court-case-pauses-ecbintervention-in-prepaid-meter-disconnections/

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Groundbreaking for the 40MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Station Project AUTHOR: Silpa Kanghono Coordinator: Digital Marketing and Events @RDJ Publishing

Courtesy: RDJ Consulting

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amPower held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station Project in Tsumeb on the 15th November 2024. The Otjikoto project

represents a pivotal step in Namibia's sustainable energy transition, heralding the realization of a vision that began a decade ago with the initial concept study for a biomassbased power solution.

The Otjikoto Biomass Power Station is set to add 40 MW to Namibia's current generation capacity upon completion, marking a significant stride in the country's journey toward energy independence. This ambitious project aims to reduce Namibia's reliance on imported electricity while strengthening its energy security. By leveraging biomass as a renewable energy source, the power station aligns with Namibia's commitment to sustainable development and a resilient energy future.

The project anticipated benefits extend far beyond electricity generation, promising a transformative impact on Namibia’s economy and agricultural sector. The project will boost the agricultural industry by increasing savannah areas suitable for livestock production. It will also create significant employment opportunities, both at the power station and within the fuel supply harvesting sector.

Additionally, the hospitality industry, including restaurants, lodges, and accommodation services, stands to gain from enhanced local economic activity. The project is also

expected to generate increased revenue for the state through various taxes and levies, while redirecting funds from imported electricity back into the local economy, fostering further economic growth and development.

NamPower’s Managing Director, Mr. Kahenge Haulofu, has called on the community to adhere to the environmental safeguards established for the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station Project. He highlighted the importance of these measures in ensuring the project's long-term sustainability and preserving Namibia's natural resources.

Mr. Haulofu also commended the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism for their pivotal role in setting environmental best practices that have become benchmarks for the country. He encouraged stakeholders to build upon this foundation, ensuring the project aligns with Namibia’s commitment to sustainable development.

Hon. Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, concluded by congratulating the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station project team and NamPower’s leadership on achieving this significant milestone. He emphasized that the project not only strengthens Namibia’s electricity generation capacity but also aligns with the nation’s climate ambitions. This initiative stands as a testament to NamPower commitment to produce electricity and bring growth and prosperity to both the Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa region and surrounding region.

Courtesy: RDJ Consulting

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Water Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform: Water Regulation Awareness Campaign AUTHOR: Silpa Kanghono Coordinator: Digital Marketing and Events @RDJ Publishing

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he Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) held an awareness campaign on water regulation, marking an important step in

implementing Namibia's Water Resource Management Act. This Act, promulgated by Parliament in 2013, and with regulations signed off by the Minister, officially commenced on August 29, 2023. The campaign was aimed at building an understanding among stakeholders of the Act’s regulatory framework, institutional responsibilities, and the obligations of various parties in managing Namibia's water resources.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from various sectors to deepen their understanding of Namibia's Water Resource Management Act and foster collaboration for its effective implementation. The event aimed to clarify the Act’s provisions, including regulatory mechanisms, institutional roles, and stakeholder rights and responsibilities. It emphasized the importance of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), encouraging communities and sectors to collaborate for optimal water use and enhanced resilience against water-related challenges.

Additionally, the workshop highlighted the critical role of stakeholder engagement in creating ownership and promoting constructive partnerships between MAWLR and its partners. A significant focus was placed on capacity building, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to ensure compliance, effective monitoring, and conflict resolution for sustainable water management in Namibia.

The Water Resources Management Act 11 of 2013 is designed to ensure that Namibia's water resources are

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managed, developed, used, conserved, and protected in alignment with the fundamental principles outlined in section 3 of the Act. This legislation mandates the State, as the owner of all water resources under Article 100 of the Namibian Constitution, to manage and utilize water for the benefit of all citizens. Grounded in the National Water Policy of 2000, the Act outlines a comprehensive framework for the management, development, protection, conservation, and use of water resources. Additionally, it establishes provisions for the regulation and monitoring of water services across the nation.

In conclusion, the Water Regulation Awareness Campaign by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) represents a pivotal step toward strengthening water resource management in Namibia. By engaging stakeholders across various sectors, the campaign has laid the groundwork for an informed and collaborative approach to implementing the Water Resource Management Act. Through this initiative, MAWLR is fostering a shared commitment to sustainable water use, capacity building, and compliance with the Act's provisions. As the campaign expands to the 13 remaining regions in 2025, it promises to further empower communities and institutions, promoting resilience and ensuring the equitable management of Namibia's precious water resources for current and future generations.

Reference: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform: Department Of Water Affairs. Khomas Region Stakeholder Awareness and Outreach Programme. Objectives of The Workshop, Background to The WRMA 11 Of 2013 and its Objectives.

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NAMIBIA DAM LEVELS UPDATE (November 2024) Dam's Full Capacity (in Mm3)

Present Volume for October 2024 (in Mm3)

100.00

1000.00

80.00 800.00

600.00

400.00

40.00

200.00

20.00

H ar da p

0.00 N ec ka rt al

Water Volume (in Mm3)

60.00

N Sw au te ak op po or t Vo n Ba O ch lu sh an dj O a m O ar m ur at u ak D o el ta D am O an ob D re O ih tji uk ve ro M O ai tji n ve ro Si lt Fr ie O d m en at au je nn e D am G or ea ng Ti ab ld a Vi ljo en Bo nd D el aa s n Vi ljo en

0.00

Name of Reservoir Author’s analysis and representation of NamWater’s weekly dam bulletin - dated 18 November 2024

DEFICIT 51.4%

CAPACITY

1556.71 Mm3

AVAILABILITY 48.6%

According to records by NamWater’s weekly Dam Bulletins, Namibia has a total Reservoir capacity of 1556.71 million cubic meters (Mm3), whose present volumes stand at 756.09 Mm3 (or 48.6%).

This means that the country’s water deficit is currently 800.62 Mm3 (or 51.4%).

SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

Agriculture Resilient Farming: Energy use AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: UNAM

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n Namibia, the agricultural sector is critical to the country's economy and livelihoods, especially in rural areas where a large proportion of the population relies

on farming. However, despite the importance of agriculture, energy usage is a major barrier to productivity, particularly among communal or essentially non-commercial farmers.

Commercial farms, which tend to be more energy-intensive, consume nearly all the energy in the agricultural sector, while communal and smallholder farms have limited access to energy. This imbalance although not intentional or by design, significantly hinders the development of rural agriculture, where energy inefficiencies manifest as low productivity, high post-harvest losses, and limited access to modern technologies.

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One of the main issues faced by smallholder farmers in Namibia is the lack of access to affordable electricity systems being either grid extensions or via renewable energy systems due to cost barriers. Without reliable and affordable energy, farmers struggle to implement efficient irrigation systems, which are vital for maintaining crops in arid conditions and especially significant during the current drought.

Additionally, the absence of on-farm cooling, processing, and marketing infrastructure leads to high post-harvest losses and limited value addition possibilities. Therefore, many small-scale farmers face challenges in getting their products to market, which undermines both food security and economic growth.

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Agrivoltaics Using a system that combines solar energy generation with crop production provides an innovative approach tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers. Known as Agri-PV systems, they are designed to install solar panels in such a way that provides shade to crops, protecting them from extreme radiation conditions, while simultaneously generating clean, renewable energy. This energy can then be used to power various agricultural processes such as irrigation systems, cooling services, and other processing machinery that support value addition.

The potential benefits of Agri-PV are significant. The solar energy generated by the system locally allowing farmers to water their crops even in the absence of a reliable electricity grid or supporting unreliable grid networks.

Additionally, the refrigeration and drying facilities supported by renewable energy can help reduce postharvest losses by preserving the quality of fruits and vegetables after harvest. This is crucial to Namibia, where extreme temperatures can cause rapid spoilage of crops.

Furthermore, Agri-PV systems can support the digitalization of agriculture, enabling farmers to access modern tools for business management, marketing, and mobile applications for things like weather forecasting, crop monitoring, and market information. These technologies can open up new avenues for value chain development, helping farmers not only improve yields but also access larger markets and increase their income.

To address these challenges, the University of Namibia (UNAM) hosted a five-day workshop titled "Harvesting Sunshine: A Hands-On Workshop on Solar PV and Agrivoltaics", organized by the Agri-PV: Sustainable Use of Agrivoltaics in Namibia project. This initiative, designed as a pilot project, seeks to explore how Agri-PV systems

integrate photovoltaic solar panels into agricultural could provide a sustainable and climate-resilient solution for improving energy access and agricultural productivity in Namibia.

The Agri-PV initiative at UNAM is an important step towards transforming agriculture in Namibia by combining renewable energy with sustainable farming practices. By promoting energy solutions tailored to the local context, Agri-PV systems can help smallholder farmers overcome energy barriers, improve productivity, and contribute to food security and economic development.

This is timely, as the Hardap Dam scenario which has seen NamWater suspend irrigation water supplies due to drought. While Residents of Mariental and the Hardap Irrigation Scheme rely on the Hardap Dam for water supplies, it is also a supply for the Hardap Irrigation scheme. The Agricultural Business Development Agency notes that the Hardap Irrigation scheme is situated in the Hardap Region, some 10 km north of the town of Mariental.

It covers a total area of 96.5 hectares of irrigated land which is divided in 6 hectare plots and is occupied by 15 Medium Scale Farmers. The Project produces lucerne and vegetables such as cabbage, onions, green pepper, butternut and others.

As Namibia continues to face the challenges of climate change and rural unemployment, innovative solutions like Agri-PV could be key to creating a more resilient, sustainable agricultural sector for the future.

Readings: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/de/downloads/pdf/F orschungsprojekte/Agri-PV%20Concept%20Note_A4_Final.pdf https://www.namibian.com.na/namwater-suspends-irrigation-watersupply-from-hardap-dam-due-to-drought/ https://nbcnews.na/node/105020 https://www.agribusdev.org.na/index.php/farm-updates/hardap

Courtesy: https://forestsnews.cifor.org/86194/working-on-sunshine-agrivoltaics-in-east-africa?fnl=

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Executive Spotlight Spotlight on Mr. Ben Schernick Interview by Ms. Silpa Kanghono (Coordinator: Digital Marketing and Events- RDJ Publishing)

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W

elcome to the Executive Spotlight Series, where we explore the journeys and insights of trailblazing leaders shaping the future. Today, we have the

3) What is the Vision, Mission and Value proposition of the organisation that you lead?

privilege of engaging with Mr. Ben Schernick, the Director of Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN). Mr. Schernick’s career began as a police detective in Berlin, Germany.

However, his path took a transformative turn following a period of critical reflection, leading him to pursue studies in social work with a specialization in mediation and peace education.

Our vision is that ‘all persons in Namibia have the resources, knowledge and motivation to ensure food security and optimal nutritional status for themselves, and all children in Namibia are sufficiently well-nourished.’ - www.nafsan.org/vision-missionaims

Exactly 20 years ago, he joined his professor on a trip to Namibia as part of a capacity building project on reconciliation and conflict resolution. Since then, he worked as a study-guide writer, lecturer, registered social worker, court-accredited mediator, facilitator and consultant, writing among other manuals, the Namibia’s Training Resource Kit on Gender-Based Violence (2018) and the upcoming National Parenting and Caregiver Handbook & Facilitator’s Guide (2024).

As from 2018, he became increasingly aware of the huge impact of nutrition has on human development, as he was asked to facilitate the transition process from the Namibian Alliance for Improved Nutrition (NAFIN) to what is since 2020 known as the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN www.nafsan.org).

1) Can you describe your executive role?

As Director, my role is to develop NAFSAN into a reliable, agile and inclusive platform for different stakeholders to work together across the wide spectrum of sectors around food and nutrition security in Namibia. It involves leading, guiding and supporting NAFSAN’s deliberately small team, while learning about and connecting with diverse member organisations from across the country, as well as building rapport with development partners and establishing good working relationships with various government entities at different levels.

We are part of the global and regional Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Network (www.suncivilsociety.com), and our mandate is to: Develop and share practical information and materials, Improve coordination, foster collaboration and enhance synergies, Identify and amplify key advocacy issues related to food and nutrition security.

Although NAFSAN may occasionally pilot a certain approach, we are not implementers of programmes, but our members are. Hence, we try to support them in their important work, hereby strongly promoting bottom-up instead of top-down approaches (a topic worth a whole magazine on its own).

It is important for us that civil society is not merely seen as ‘implementers on the ground’ who work in and with communities or as advocates who ‘hold government accountable’. We are in fact reliable partners in developing, coordinating and implementing policies at all levels, although civil society’s work doesn’t always get officially acknowledged. Some civil society actors do actually quite a lot of work for the government ‘behind the scenes’ yet without much or not even any credit.

2) Where does it derive its mandate?

NAFSAN is a member-based umbrella body for Civil Society, Academia and momentarily also the Private Sector within Namibia’s wide-ranging food and nutrition security landscape, which spans from rural and urban agriculture across water, sanitation and environmental issues to health aspects (with a strong focus on mothers and children yet increasingly working with fathers and men), eating and drinking habits, as well as social protection systems to ensure everyone has access to enough nutritious food.

These members (currently ± 40 organisations) elect the NAFSAN Board, which appoints the Director and other staff, depending of course on funding available, as we ourselves are a non-profit organisation that is so far still highly depending on donor funding.

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4) As a mentor, what are some of the key attributes you bring to leading your organisation?

Having learned, taught, and practiced conflict facilitation in relationships, groups and organisations, I came to realise that conflict is a natural part of life. It’s merely how we respond to and deal with it that can either be destructive (= ripping relationships apart) or productive (= bring us closer together), so that we see each other more for who we are.

In terms of mentoring, I believe in people and their capacity to lead themselves, even if your position at work is ‘just’ that of an intern.

Hence, at NAFSAN everyone decides for themselves when and from where they want to work. Of course, we come together for meetings and activities, yet the levels of self-determination are deliberately higher than at other workplaces. Also, the most important learning in life happens when we make mistakes. Hence, I try to shift our organisational culture away from just ignoring issues (e.g. ‘I am fine.’) towards more honest discussions without blaming oneself or others. However, this is often different from the environments that many of us grew up in and which shaped our behaviours and inner attitudes towards other people and life itself.

Change comes gradually and often not in a linear way. Working together within NAFSAN as well as on the outside with our stakeholders, can be explained through the analogy of being in a wholesome and healthy marriage. One needs to live and work well together, appreciate the other for who they are, and be able to have honest and straightforward conversations with the other about things that are not (yet) working well. This certainly requires ongoing work on yourself, on issues at hand, and on the relationship itself.

5) What aspect of your sector keeps you awake at night?

The incredible disconnect and the ‘working in silos’, with many organisations and people working in them mainly looking after their own wellbeing and interests. Even among what are supposed to be ‘development partners’ one finds high levels of competition, lack of collaboration and blatant inefficiencies. This also shows up in how projects are typically implemented, often by not building on previous successes by other stakeholders, while results or resources are often not freely nor easily available. This leads to Namibians, local CSOs and other actors not being able to utilize or not even knowing about them.

Within larger organisations, it is the autocratic decision-making structures, bureaucracy, and lack of people seeing the bigger picture that are painful problems. Here, performance agreements are technically-speaking fulfilled, yet the actual issue and root

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causes are only partially addressed. Namibia is actually infamous for having brilliant policies (often developed by consultants contracted by UN-agencies) which are then not implemented.

The lack of systemic thinking and people not working together towards intergenerational solutions for intergenerational problems keeps me also awake at night, knowing that we have growing inequalities and rampant poverty while being such a resource-rich country, with several hundreds of children dying every single year of undernutrition, while at the same time overnutrition and related diseases are on the rise.

Putting personal and organisational egos aside for the purpose of development would hereby go a long way, together with dropping the arrogantly held beliefs among key decision makers that they know better what is ‘good for the people’ and hereby, for instance, denying them and the country the benefits that a 100%-feasible, just and hugely transformational Universal Basic Income (https://basicincome.org) would bring.

6) What has been your proudest moment to date leading the organisation?

The joint development of our comprehensive and highly practical Nutrition-for-Health: Embracing our Namibia Food Systems (www.nafsan.org/n4h) approach and having successfully pooled almost a million Namibian Dollars in funding from several different donors to efficiently print a first set of training and information materials at scale for future trainings-of-facilitators.

Secondly, seeing young Namibian nutritionists conduct training-offacilitators on this approach on their own in various regions and managing projects, as well as starting to enter the global stage, like during the Committee on World Food Security’s panel discussion on ‘Nourish to Flourish’ in Rome, Italy on 23 October 2024.

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Tenders

Road Fund Administration (RFA) Description: Construction of 139kW Solar PV Roof Top System at Roads Authority (RA) Head Office ERF 8163.

Bid Close date: 02 December 2024 at 11h00 Namibian Time file:///Users/rdjgroup/Downloads/RFA-Invitation-for-BIDS.pdf Municipality of Walvis Bay Description: Supply and delivery of two (2) sedan vehicles for Traffic Department.

Bid Close date: 06 December 2024 at 11h00 Namibian Time https://www.walvisbaycc.org.na/?noticeboard=invitation-for-bids-ifb-3 TransNamib Holdings Ltd Description: Provision of Security Services. (Extended).

Bid Close date: 06 December 2024 at 12h00 Namibian Time https://www.transnamib.com.na/procurement/#1729836686432-52f6a26c-a6ce NamPower Description: Procurement of Consultancy Services for the Implementation and Management of the NamPower FSC Group Scheme for the Otjikoto Biomass Power Station.

Bid Close date: 09 December 2024 at 10h00 Namibian Time https://www.nampower.com.na/Bid.aspx?id=252031 Description: Renovation and Upgrading Works for Ruacana Eha Lodge Revamp Project in Ruacana Town, Omusati Region.

Bid Close date: 24 Jan 2025 at 10h00 Namibian Time https://www.nampower.com.na/Bid.aspx?id=252034 OSHIKOTO REGIONAL COUNCIL Description: Rehabilitation of one (1) Waterpoint: Otjolo - Nehale LyaMpingana Constituency Bid Close date: 11 December 2024 https://oshikotorc.gov.na/documents/1676058/5196217/OTJOLO.pdf/cd9c3bf4-8876-7f06-bbec-436e832813d2?t=1730794041787 National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) Description: Dealership Applications for Namcor’s Hosea Kutako Service Station.

Bid Close date: 17 Jan 2025 at 11h00 PM Namibia Time www.namcor.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dealer-Recruitment-for-NAMCOR-Hosea-Kutako-Service-Station-NCS-ONBNC-03-2024.pdf

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InFocus NAMIBIA AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE IMF Expands Executive Board with Addition of 25th Chair Source:

W

ashington, DC: IMF member countries have successfully elected an expanded Executive Board of 25 Executive Directors, including

three representing Sub-Saharan Africa.

The completion of the Fund’s 2024 Regular Election of Executive Directors on October 25, 2024, was the final step in the creation of an additional chair dedicated to Sub-Saharan Africa, following the call by the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) during the 2023 Annual Meetings in Marrakech to improve Sub-Saharan Africa’s voice and representation and the overall balance of regional representation at the Board (see Press Release 23/353).

On July 16, 2024, the IMF Board of Governors issued a resolution to increase the number of Executive Directors from 24 to 25 with the 25th chair intended for SubSaharan Africa (see Press Release 24/299). This resolution received overwhelming approval from the Fund’s membership, more than the required 85 percent majority of the total voting power.

The expansion was implemented with the 2024 Regular Election of Executive Directors when the 45 Sub-Saharan

Africa member countries, previously organized into two constituencies, were reorganized into three new constituencies: Central and Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa.

“This is a historic milestone for the IMF and for Africa,” said Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. “Not only does the addition of a third African chair to our Board reflect the continent's tremendous progress in developing its human and economic potential, it will also strengthen Africa’s voice and bring the IMF closer to the people we serve.”

The Executive Board was last expanded 32 years ago in 1992 with the addition of two new chairs to represent new member countries after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The new Board’s term commences on November 1, 2024.

IMF Communications Department MEDIA RELATIONS PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin Phone: +1 202 623-7100 Email: MEDIA@IMF.org @IMFSpokesperson

Mr. Miguel Hamutenya, Newly appointed Chairperson

Ms. Gisela Sebastião Newly appointed Vice-Chairperson

Dr Andreas Elombo Newly appointed Director of the Namibia Energy Institute (NEI).

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

NICOLE FELIX CHIEF DESIGNER (LAYOUT AND DESIGN) @RDJ PUBLISHING

DAVID JARRETT EDITOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER @RDJ GROUP

SILPA KANGHONO COORDINATOR: DIGITAL MARKETING AND EVENTS @RDJ PUBLISHING

LAHJA AMAAMBO CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR @RDJ GROUP

PUBLISHED BY:

GRACE KANGOTUE CHIEF RESEARCHER/ECONOMIST DEPUTY EDITOR @ RDJ CONSULTING

CHILOMBO OLGA PRISCILA CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR @RDJ GROUP

RESEARCH BY:

RENEE JARRETT EXECUTIVE - ADMINISTRATION @RDJ GROUP

PRINTED BY:

ISSN 2026-9080

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