GIZ Namibia

28/10/2026

Lüderitz launches strategic plans to guide its future development

On 21 October 2026, Lüderitz Town Council launched three documents to guide the town’s development: the Strategic Plan 2026/27-2030/31, the Urban Guiding Vision for Lüderitz 2040 and a socio-economic study.

With implementation estimated at N$615 million over five years, the Strategic Plan focuses on strengthening municipal governance and capacity, promoting economic growth and environmental protection, improving urban infrastructure, and enhancing social infrastructure. Together, these priorities provide a framework for managing Lüderitz’s anticipated growth in green hydrogen, aquaculture, port expansion, logistics and tourism. The Urban Guiding Vision for Lüderitz 2040 sets a longer-term direction for a resilient, inclusive and sustainable town, linking economic development with improved services and local opportunities.

As //Kharas Region Governor, Honourable Dawid Gertze, noted, “Industrial expansion without proper planning strains municipal services.” The challenge now is to turn these plans into action through coordination, partnerships and investment.

The documents were developed with support from the Integrated Urban Development Project in Lüderitz and Aus, implemented by GIZ Namibia.

19/10/2026

Preparing Namibia’s Next Generation for Green Industrialisation

On 15 October 2026, 30 Namibian students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions participated in a masterclass titled “From Classroom to Creating Exports: Clean Energy Infrastructure Development for Namibia’s Green Industrialisation”, facilitated by Dr Detlof von Oertzen under the GIZ-implemented Energy Partnership. The masterclass formed part of the pre-event activities for the Youth Green Industries Summit, held on 15–16 October 2026 in Windhoek.

The session explored Namibia’s green hydrogen landscape, renewable energy resources and emerging project opportunities, while highlighting the practical skills needed to work safely and effectively in the energy sector, particularly on green hydrogen.

From welding, fitting and testing to site safety, technical certifications and workforce readiness, the masterclass emphasised the important role of skilled Namibian professionals in building the country’s green energy value chains.

Namibia’s green industrialisation journey is not only about producing clean energy, but also about developing local skills, creating opportunities for young people and adding value to the country’s resources. GIZ Namibia works with local stakeholders to strengthen skills development and support the preparation of Namibia’s workforce for emerging opportunities in the green hydrogen and renewable energy sectors.

19/10/2026

BUSINESS AT GRASSROOT LEVEL…

The Climate Change and Inclusive Use of Natural Resources (CCIU2) project implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) presents the business advisory handbook titled: Diversifying nature-based enterprises for Community Based Organizations in Namibia: a step-by-step guide for different enterprises.

The book, which was developed jointly by the project and MEFT, provides simplified business development guidance for initiatives and enterprises relevant for Conservancies, Community Forests and Associations in Namibia.

A digital copy of the book is accessible on the MEFT website via the following link:

08/10/2026

Workshop toward Marine Conservation for all of Namibia

Otjiwarongo - 5.-7.10. a group of experts on marine conservation came together to progress the work toward the submission of the 200 m isobath as a first marine OECM candidate in Namibia.

The Blue Benguela Current Action (BBCA), co-funded by the EU and the German Government, supports its partners, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) together with other partners (NNF and Red Dunes Consulting) to advance the process of identifying, assessing and ultimately registering and recognizing Namibia's first marine Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure (OECM).

The potential area - having passed an initial screening stage – is considering the 200m isobath Fisheries Management Zone that has been managed and monitored since 1992 as a longstanding prohibition on trawling implemented as a license condition. The area is vital for spawning, nursery and feeding grounds for the benthic ecosystem of Namibia's ocean and continuing the prohibition will help conserve marine biodiversity for future generations.

The current relaxation of the prohibition to allow wet landed horse mackerel trawling up to 150m isobath until April 2027 is complicating the OECM process for this specific area (200m isobath). Additionally, gazettement of the precise coordinates is a vital step for the OECM process, still outstanding. These and other topics were debated as marine experts engaged in three days of information sharing, aligning understanding of this new process and planning for critical next steps moving forward with the recognition of this site as an OECM site - a first of its kind in the Namibian marine environment.

(Photo Credit: Alexandra Gerritsen)

05/10/2026

🌍 Urban October 2026 is a global month of events and dialogue highlighting the importance of sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development.

This year, get an insight into GIZ Namibia’s work in the urban development sector through the Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Development (ISUD II) project, which will be featured across several Urban October events:

📅 7 October | 3:00–4:00 PM CEST
Urban October Opening Session – Next Level: GIZ x UN-Habitat Partnership

📅 15 October | 1:00–2:00 PM CEST
Launch & Exchange: Stories of Urban Change – Feminist Pathways to Cities for All

📅 27 October | 3:00–4:00 PM CEST
Spotlight on Innovative Approaches to Urban Informality

📅 28 October | 10:00–11:30 AM CEST
Small Interventions, Big Impact: Community-led Urban Improvements through Integrated Neighbourhood Development Planning (INDP)

We look forward to sharing experiences, learning from others and showcasing how inclusive and sustainable urban development can translate into practical change on the ground in Namibia and beyond.

🔗 Explore the full Urban October 2026 programme and register for the events:
Urban October 2026 – Event Programme

Send a message to learn more

23/09/2026

Nutrition 4 Growth (N4G Event)

What an inspiring opening! Yesterday, the Government of the Republic of Namibia and the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) with support from GIZ Namibia and other stakeholders officially opened the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Dialogues and Ex-hibition – with inspiring contributions and a clear message: improved nutrition for all is achievable when all partners act together!

The event under the theme ‘Nutrition in Namibia: Key for Growth and Development’ is taking place this Wednesday and Thursday, 23-24 September 2026 and will reflect on progress to-wards Namibia’s Nutrition for Growth commitments through an exhibition, guided tours, nutrition dialogues and a film screening.

Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), Windhoek
Wednesday and Thursday, 23–24 September 2026
Guided tours through the exhibition
Nutrition Dialogues (from 15:00 this Wednesday and Thursday)
Film Screening “The Last Seed” (17:45 this Thursday)
Free Entrance

Be part of the conversation and join the 3-day exhibition and programme.

21/09/2026

Mapping Biodiversity in the Tsau IIKhaeb National Park!

On Friday, 18 September the GIZ Energy Partnership, together with the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), concluded a two-week field mission in the Tsau IIKhaeb National Park (TKNP), within Namibia’s Southern Hydrogen Valley.

The fieldwork generated new flora and vegetation records for under-collected areas of the park, including indicator plant species, additional herbarium specimens and population data for selected Red List target species. This aids in strengthening the evidence base for identifying areas of particular biodiversity importance and supporting informed land-use and development decisions.

This is particularly relevant as the Southern Hydrogen Valley develops new renewable energy and green hydrogen activities. Better ecological information can help identify sensitive areas early, guide appropriate land uses and support a balance between development and the long-term conservation of TKNP’s unique biodiversity.

The fieldwork was coordinated by Dr Antje Burke, a renowned environmental scientist whose assignment includes reviewing the park’s current biodiversity monitoring framework and strengthening the capacity of MEFT’s conservation staff to undertake effective monitoring.

17/09/2026

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Secretariat, in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Namibia under the Sustainable Development Goals Initiative ( SDG-I) project and the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) will undertake a National High Schools Engagement Programme from 7 September to 9 October 2026 across all fourteen (14) regions of Namibia.

The programme seeks to promote awareness and understanding of the APRM, the African Union Agenda 2063 on the Africa We Want and the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 (SDGs) among school principals, management, teachers and secondary school learners in Grades 8 to 12.

The Programme is intended to create an interactive learning environment where learners can ask questions, exchange ideas and develop a deeper understanding, also on the APRM Targeted Review Report on Youth Unemployment for Republic of Namibia and Progress.

16/09/2026