Envisioning Tomorrow: Green Economy

A cool, crisp April morning marked the official launch of Namibia Trade Network`s first Business Breakfast Club for 2025, opening with a theme that couldn’t be more relevant - one on the tip of everyone’s tongue and central to pioneering business ventures: a future shaped by a green economy.

Hosted by its main sponsor, the diamond mining company Namdeb, the event was officially opened by Grace Luvindao, Namdeb’s Corporate Affairs Manager. She welcomed a diverse group of corporate entities. Entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals came together to exchange ideas and build connections within the business community.

Namibia finds itself uniquely positioned in Africa to lead a monumental shift towards a greener future - one that is defined by resilience, innovation, and equitable practices. With its abundance of natural resources, strategic geographic location, and a dynamic, youthful population, Namibia stands at a pivotal crossroad where sustainability and growth not only can, but must, go hand in hand.

As with previous Business Breakfast Club events, this session featured a distinguished panel of experts from diverse sectors, who offered valuable insights and practical expertise in navigating Namibia’s complex socio-economic landscape. The esteemed ensemble focused on the role of renewable energies in a uniquely Namibian context - and its potential to positively impact communities, support conservation, and develop our country`s ever-evolving economy.

Ulf Meier, Project Manager at Namdeb, contributed to the conversation alongside Benedict Libanda, CEO of the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, Rikus Grobler from the Capricorn Group, and Ben Mingeli, Senior Manager at Generation Projects (NamPower). Meier mentioned Namibia’s commitment to act as good custodians of its mineral wealth, with Namdeb aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030.

At the crux of the discussions was the need to integrate renewable energy solutions and adopt green practices across respective industries. Acknowledging the responsibility to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, panelists explored how each sector can play a role in shaping a resilient and sustainable Namibian economy. All agreed on the importance of developing renewable resources with a long-term, conscientious approach, and the need to mitigate climate change while unlocking exciting energy opportunities.

Benedict Libanda expressed palpable excitement as he announced that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism is finalising its support for the establishment of a Carbon Investment Fund in Namibia. This initiative aims to facilitate the sale and off-take of carbon credits by working with highemitting sectors across Namibia to offset carbon emissions. The Fund will also ensure that industries such as agriculture and tourism are rewarded or incentivised for operating on a low-carbon basis.

The policy is expected to be passed by the government in June 2025,and it is anticipated to provide additional support to businesses. This is based on the European Union’s 'carbon tariffs’ model, which applies a green premium to products - thereby incentivising enterprises to adopt low-carbon production practices.

Grace Luvindao emphasised that platforms such as the Business Breakfast Club, are vital for engaging all sectors - from mining, energy, and tourism to health, agriculture, and finance.

The Business Breakfast Club Namibia continues to play an important role in creating forums for business and thought leaders to align strategies, articulate ideas, and spark collaborative initiatives across industries. As Grace aptly stated, “Collaboration is key to our growth.”

The first Business Breakfast Club event also showcased the 2025 edition of the Namibia Trade Network. Since 1990, the Namibia Trade Network (originally Namibia Trade Directory) has served as the country’s leading source of industry-related news and opinion. It remains committed to celebrating and supporting home-grown entities, connecting individuals and businesses, and facilitating networking in Namibia’s trade and industry landscape.

In keeping with the overarching 2025 theme of 'The Future - Envisioning Tomorrow’, the next Business Breakfast Club in June will focus on Cybersecurity in business. This event will be proudly sponsored by AfricaOnline.

To learn more and join a community of changemakers, visit www.bbcnam.com

Madeleen Duvenhage