Namibia Sustainable Bioeconomy Strategy 2024-2029

1.1 Background .................................................................................................................................................... 13

1.1.1 STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS (SFA) AND INITIATIVES ................................................................. 14

1.1.1.1 Strategic Focus Areas ............................................................................................................................ 14

1.2. Consultation Process ................................................................................................................................ 17

1.3 Bio-economy in the Namibian Context .............................................................................................. 18 2. VISION, MISSION AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES .......................................................................... 20 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL BIO-ECONOMY STRATEGY ..................................... 25 4. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY ............................................................................................................... 25 5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK AND REPORT ............................................. 25

5.1 Annual Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): ..................................................................................... 25

5.2 Mid-term Evaluation: ............................................................................................................................. 26

5.3 End-term and Impact Evaluation: .................................................................................................... 26 6. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION APPROACH OF THE BIO-ECONOMY STRATEGY ................. 26 7. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................ 27 8. BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................ 28 9. APPENDIXES ................................................................................................................................................. 29 Appendix 1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 29 Implementation Action Plan: ........................................................................................................................ 33 Appendix 2 .......................................................................................................................................................... 35 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework .................................................................................................... 35 Appendix 3 .......................................................................................................................................................... 39 Data Collection Template .............................................................................................................................. 39 Appendix 4 .......................................................................................................................................................... 47 Policies and Programmes of Institutions Represented in the Bio-economy Multi-sectoral Working Group (BMWG). .................................................................................................. 47 Appendix 5 ......................................................................................................................................................... 58 Bio-economy Multi-sectoral Working Group (BMWG):...................................................................... 58 FAO technical team ......................................................................................................................................... 59 4 Namibia has rich biodiversity; the varieties of indigenous and endemic plants and animal species have the potential to be sustainably utilised in the production of knowledge that can be transformed through science, technology, and innovation into value-added products, as well as processes and services. Bioeconomy is the “production, utilisation, conservation, and regeneration of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology, and innovation, to provide sustainable solutions (information, products, processes and services) within and across all economic sectors, and enable a transformation to a sustainable economy”. Thus, the Government of the Republic of Namibia with the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) developed a National Bioeconomy Strategy that is aimed at providing a roadmap of how to utilise the finite living resources sustainably to produce products with economic potential, and to create meaningful employment that leads to alleviation of hunger and improved food security. In this strategy, it is envisioned that Namibia will harness the full potential of biological resources through biological innovations. The Bioeconomy Strategy 's implementation plan focuses on national priorities as defined in Vision 2030 (V2030), the National Development Plans (NDPs), and other national instruments that address economic empowerment and poverty eradication in line with the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). The Harambee Prosperity Plans (HPPs), NDP5s, particularly NDP5, calls for “increase benefits to communities through the establishment of a research and development centre for indigenous plant products and the growth of Bioeconomy based on sustainable commercialisation and value addition”. HPP II advocates for the development and implementation of both the Green and Blue Economy. The National Bio-economy Strategy will ensure a framework of programmes and initiatives addressing multifaceted challenges identified as critical by taking advantage of spill- over benefits from other sectors, such as agriculture, environment, manufacturing, and health. Namibia's agricultural sector and the potential use of biomass to produce food and feed, materials or energy, make the strategy crucial for socio-economic advancement. Moreover, a sustainable and circular Bioeconomy, promoting long-awaited and much-needed bio-innovations is key to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes biological innovations that can assist in the treatment of diseases in future epidemics and other climatic and economic risks, for instance to strengthen the market for bio-based input alternatives. Positive impacts including spin-offs will only be realised if sector players are involved in implementing this strategy. On behalf of the Government of Namibia, I would like to encourage all stakeholders to join hands towards effectively implementing the National Bioeconomy Strategy. I look forward to witnessing the tremendous contribution of the Bioeconomy sector to our national development agenda. Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi Hon. Itah Kandjii-Murangi (MP) 5 Bioeconomy strategy development is reaching momentum globally. It is exciting to see Namibia being among the few countries in Africa and beyond the continent having developed their national sustainable Bioeconomy strategies. In addition, Namibia is one of the beneficiaries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Global project, “Towards Sustainable Bioeconomy Guidelines” (GCP/GLO/724/GER). The project's objective is to support member countries to develop coherent Sustainable Bioeconomy Programmes, including strategy development and implementation, towards a more sustainable agrifood system. The National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology (NCRST) as an agency of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI) facilitated the development of a National Bioeconomy Strategy. An interagency Bioeconomy Multisectoral Working Group (BMWG) consisting of public institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and higher education institutions was established to provide technical support during the formulation and development of Namibia's National Bioeconomy Strategy. The overall development process included a stocktaking and analysis exercise to establish the baseline of the Bioeconomy landscape in Namibia. The key focus areas identified include health, agriculture, natural resources management and cross cutting issues related to Bioeconomy, while the strategic objectives focus on value-addition, Research Development and Innovation (RDI), and overall awareness creation. Therefore, this strategy envisages a paradigm shift that is required to for accelerated sustainable development. The Government would like to acknowledge with appreciation the generous assistance it has received from the FAO, the BMWG, and all stakeholders towards developing the national sustainable Bioeconomy strategy. Dr. Alfred van Kent 6 Statement by the Chief Executive Officer National Commission on Research, Science and Technology Namibia`s Bioeconomy Strategy embraces the country 's commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within the bioeconomy sector. By leveraging bioeconomy sectors, Namibia has an opportunity to develop cutting-edge solutions that address national challenges while fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for all Namibians. The consultative process that culminated in the Namibia Bioeconomy Strategy began in 2021 with the constitution of an interagency committee known as the Bioeconomy Multisectoral Working Group (BMWG). The representatives of these institutions provided the technical team with a comprehensive list of policies and legislation that falls within the Bioeconomy sectors. Using information from the benchmarking review of Bioeconomy strategies around the world, BMWG has identified strategic focus areas namely agriculture, health, natural resource management, and cross-cutting issues as key strategic focus areas of national interest. During regional consultations with different stakeholders, challenges and opportunities related to the Bioeconomy in the different strategic focus areas were collated in the Bioeconomy Stocktaking and Analysis Report which was completed in 2021. I am convinced that the stocktaking and analysis report generated from engagements with different stakeholders nationwide, truly represents what Namibians want to see and has been well represented as initiatives under the National Sustainable Bioeconomy Strategy 2024 -2029. We envision that by the end of 2029, Namibia will have implemented an impactful, sustainable Bioeconomy strategy that fosters economic advancement and social progression. The NCRST will play the overall coordination of the implementation to ensure that the objectives of the Bioeconomy Strategy are met. The BMWG will continue reporting periodically on various Bioeconomy programs and initiatives being implemented by agencies, ministries, as well as the private sector. On behalf of the NCRST, I would like to express my gratitude to the FAO for both financial and technical assistance toward realizing the development of the national bioeconomy strategy. The NCRST is equally grateful to its staff members as well as to everyone who enormously contributed to setting the national bioeconomy direction for the next five years toward the socio-economic advancement of Namibia. Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters Chief Executive Officer National Commission on Research, Science and Technology 7 ABS Access and Benefit-sharing AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area Agribank Agricultural Bank of Namibia AGRIBUSDEV Agricultural Business Development Agency AMTA Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency BCC Benguela Current Commission BMWG Bioeconomy Multisectoral Working Group BoN Bank of Namibia CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CBOs Community-based Organisations CAADP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme CBNRM Community-based Natural Resource Management COVID-19 2019 novel coronavirus disease DBN Development Bank of Namibia EIF Environmental Investment Fund EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations FNB First National Bank GDP Gross Domestic Product GHG Greenhouse Gas GIZ German Agency for International Cooperation HPPII Harambee Prosperity Plan II IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency ICCAT International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas IRDNC Integrated Rural Development for Nature Conservation JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency MAWLR Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform MEATCO Meat Corporation of Namibia MEFT Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism MHETI Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation MLIREC Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation MoHSS Ministry of Health and Social Services MIT Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade 8 NAB Namibia Agronomic Board NACSO Namibia Association of Community-based Natural Resource Management Support Organisations NANCI Namibian Network of the Cosmetics Industry NBSAP II National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan II NCRST National Commission of Research, Science and Technology NDP5 National Development Plan 5 NDT Namibia Development Trust NEI Namibia Energy Institute NANSO Namibia National Students Organisation NIP Namibia Institute of Pathology NIPDB Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board NNF Namibia Nature Foundation NSFAF Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund NSI Namibia Standards Institution NUST Namibia University of Science and Technology NTA Namibia Training Authority R&D Research and Development RDI Research, Development, and Innovation RLED Regional Local Economic Development White Paper Policy SADC Southern African Development Community SACU Southern African Customs Union SFA Strategic Focus Area SME Small to Medium Enterprises SO Strategic Objective UN United Nations UNAM University of Namibia UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organisation 9 10 11 The National Bioeconomy Strategy, 2024 to 2029 sets the scene for employing programmes and initiatives that will help Namibia to take advantage of the benefits of the Bioeconomy. Successful implementation of this strategy will ensure improved quality of life of communities and economic growth through research and development of cutting-edge research, development, and innovation (RDI) that resolves socio-economic issues in Namibia. Bioeconomy cuts across the sectors that speak to health, food security, and nutrition issues, and directly impacts productivity, especially in the manufacturing industry. It is anticipated that this strategy will promote Bio-economy activities to address critical gaps in the economy. To kick off the drafting of the National Bioeconomy Strategy, an inter-agency committee called the Bioeconomy Multisectoral Working Group (BMWG) was set up to assist with technical inputs and direction of the strategy. The BMWG consists of 24 entities (nine government ministries, five private companies, ten non-governmental organisations, public enterprises, and higher education institutions). The National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology (NCRST) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation will coordinate the implementation of this strategy. The goal of the Bioeconomy strategy is to ensure the integration of Bioeconomy activities into the overall national economic landscape. It is envisioned that this strategy will drive the establishment of a vibrant Bioeconomy that drives innovation, conservation, and sustainable utilisation of biological resources. The mission of the strategy entails the promotion and acceleration of the deployment of innovations as well as the unceasing use of biological resources for growth and sustainable development in Namibia. To take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Bioeconomy, Namibia will, for the next five years leading up to 2029, focus on the following areas: Agriculture; Health and Natural Resource Management. 12 Article 95(l) of the Namibian Constitution proclaims that “to promote the welfare of the Namibian people”, the state shall adopt policies that ensure: “…maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia and utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future…” (Namibian Constitution, Art. 95). Within Namibia's policy for long-term development, Vision 2030, the Government aspires to achieve development through the three pillars of sustainability, namely, economic, social, 1 and environmental development. These pillars are based on Namibia's commitment to the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development . Three multilateral treaties emanated from the Rio Declaration; the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Namibia is a party to all three Conventions; it has ratified the supplementary protocols of the CBD, which include the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, ABS). Additionally, Namibia became a party to the Paris Agreement in 2016, an agreement within the UNFCCC on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance.4 Apart from the linkages to Namibia's long-term goals, these protocols are reflected in the National Development Plan 5 (NDP5) 2017/18 to 2021/22. In addition, the CBD and its supplementary protocols are locally implemented through the National Biodiversity Action Plan II (NBSAP II). The plans aim to enforce national policies that protect biodiversity whilst using biological resources sustainably in different sectors such as agriculture, environment, tourism, fisheries, and mining.3 13 Namibia's biodiversity policies promote the sustainable use of biological resources for food, medicine, biofuel, construction, and as a source of income.3 The NBSAP II has focused mainly on protection goals and sustainable use of raw materials without optimally exploring the potential of value addition to produce innovative sustainable products. Bioeconomy activities are reflected in biodiversity policy frameworks, although not entirely focused on research, development, and innovation (RDI). Bioeconomy has been identified as a key tool to address approximately nine (9) of the seventeen (17) sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, a National Bioeconomy Strategy provides Namibia with an opportunity to tackle current challenges in using biological resources for sustainable development. In addition, this strategy addresses gaps in existing policy frameworks in the context of Bioeconomy-related activities. It provides initiatives and actions that will help Namibia address poverty and unemployment and promote rural development.

1.1.1 STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS (SFA) AND INITIATIVES

1.1.1.1 Strategic Focus Areas Namibia is an upper-middle-income country with a population of 3.0 million people as per the b Namibia Statistics Agency 2023 preliminary report,7 with an average per capita income of a 7 around US$4 763.46. The most densely populated areas are the central north, and northeast, where over 50 percent of the population lives. The country generates approximately N$13 billion in revenue from its biodiversity, of which 40 percent is due to tourism. Overall, in 2020, primary industries accounted for 19.1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of which the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector account for 9 percent, livestock farming accounted for 3.5 percent, crop farming and forestry 2.9 percent, Fishing and fish processing on-board 2.6 percent and the mining and quarrying sector accounted for 10.1 percent.8 The secondary industries accounted for 16.5 percent of the GDP of which manufacturing accounted for 11 percent (0.6 percent is meat processing, 1.4 percent grain and mill products, 2.9 percent other food products, 1.4 percent beverages, 6 United Nations World Population Prospectus. 2019. Namibia. a 7 Namibia Statistics Agency, 2020. Preliminary National Accounts b 7 Namibia Statistics Agency, 2023. Preliminary National Accounts 8 Biodiversity Resource Mobilisation Strategy, MEFT, 2019 14 0.3 percent textile and wearing apparel, 0.2 percent leather and related products, 0.3 percent wood and wood products, 0.2 percent publishing and printing, 0.6 percent chemical and related products, 0.2 percent rubber and plastic products, 0.3 percent non-metallic minerals products, 0.7 percent basic non-ferrous metals, 0.3 percent fabricated metals, 1.2 percent diamond processing, and 0.3 percent other manufacturing), electricity and water and construction accounted 1.8 percent each9. Tertiary industries accounted for 57.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, of which 9.6 percent is wholesale and retail trade, and repairs, 1.4 percent hotels, and restaurants, 1.8 percent transport, 0.7 percent storage, 0.7 percent professional, scientific and technical 10 services, 10.9 percent education, 3.7 percent health. Bioeconomy has the potential to contribute to the above sectors and to increase their respective share of the GDP. To do this, Namibia will focus on the selected strategic focus areas. The stakeholders identified several challenges and opportunities related to the Bioeconomy in the different strategic focus areas and captured in the Stocktaking and Analysis Report of the Namibian Bioeconomy. The strategic focus areas for achieving a sustainable Bioeconomy and their main opportunities and challenges are as follows: SFA 1 Agriculture: The Namibian agricultural sector contributes up to five (5) percent of Namibia's GDP and has the largest workforce with almost 170 000 employees recorded at February 2020. Approximately 48 percent of Namibia's rural households depend on subsistence agriculture. Constraints in this strategic focus area that can be mitigated by introducing innovative bioproducts include low production output in both crop and livestock production, through innovative tools to produce resilient crop varieties and livestock breeds. Other mitigation measures can be using RDI to prevent post-harvest losses (food loss) due to climate change shocks, including drought, and value-addition through infrastructure development and innovative by-products. SFA 2 Health: Health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, call for innovative diagnostic tools, vaccines, and therapeutics. Local communities have not been able to harness the full benefits of indigenous plants and corresponding knowledge. 10 https://ippr.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Agriculture-in-Namibia-An-Overview.docx-10.pdf 15 Through access and benefit-sharing (ABS) procedures, mechanisms can be designed to promote bio trade in indigenous medicinal plants that can be mainstreamed in primary healthcare systems. SFA 3 Natural Resources Management: Under the pillar of environmental sustainability, the NDP5 has two focus areas, namely conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and Environmental Management and climate change. The safeguarding of ecosystems and biological diversity, and strengthening environmental protection, may require trade-offs between ecological sustainability and economic progression in designing the Bioeconomy legal framework. Strengthen sustainable land management Conservation and Enhance value-addition and the sustainable sustainable use of natural utilisation of biodiversity resources Safeguarding ecosystems and biological diversity Environmental Strengthen environmental protection Management and Climate Promote environmentally sound investments Change and production systems Figure 1: NDP5 Pillar on environmental sustainability SFA 4 Cross-cutting Issues Related to the Bioeconomy: This focus area covers infrastructure, value-addition, standards, capacity-building, and policies that fall within the scope of Bio-economy activities. Constraints in implementing a sustainable Bioeconomy under this focus area include lack of RDI and capacity for rural communities to create value chains of potential products and by-products emanating from biological resources, including waste. Rural communities lack the skills to allow them to process raw materials into semi-finished or finished goods. 16 In addition, the lack of funding schemes from banks and other funding institutions restricts communities from the full benefits of these bio-resources. The Growth at Home Strategy, with emphasis on industrialisation, manufacturing and value-addition, will catalyse the implementation of different mechanisms to ensure economic growth. The strategy covers three (3) areas namely: - supporting value-addition, upgrading, and diversification for sustained growth through science and innovation, - securing market access at home and abroad, and - improving the investment climate and conditions. The Growth at Home Strategy will complement the National Bio-economy Strategy by highlighting the need to use bio-resources to create novel value chains that uplift rural and urban communities. The areas of indigenous knowledge and industrial and manufacturing activities will be intertwined in the four (4) strategic focus areas. The SFAs will be implemented through corresponding strategic initiatives designed to build a sustainable Bioeconomy.

1.2. Consultation Process Transforming Namibia into a knowledge-based economy through RDI is part of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation's (MHETI) mandate. The Ministry has several public entities that implement its mandate. These include the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), and the University of Namibia (UNAM), amongst others. Therefore, although the Bioeconomy consists of numerous stakeholders in diverse sectors, the function of coordinating the implementation of the National Bio-economy Strategy will rest with the NCRST. The consultative process that culminated in the draft Namibia Bio-economy Strategy began in January 2021 with the constitution of an interagency committee known as the Bioeconomy Multisectoral Working Group (BMWG). The BMWG consisted of 24 entities (nine government ministries, five private companies, ten non-governmental organisations, public enterprises, and higher education institutions). The representatives of these institutions provided the technical team with a comprehensive list of policies and legislation within their scope of work that falls in the Bioeconomy. 17 At the initial BMWG meetings in January and February 2021, the working group set six (6) strategic focus areas namely agriculture, health, indigenous knowledge, natural resource management, industrial and manufacturing issues, and cross-cutting issues, and using information from a benchmarking review document of Bioeconomy strategies around the world that the NCRST conducted in 2016. Following the meetings of the BMWG, a survey was compiled to solicit inputs from wider stakeholder groups and partner organisations. The survey results were compiled into a stocktaking and analysis report that informs this strategy. Two-hundred and sixty-five (265) stakeholders were engaged through face-to-face workshops and online meetings through the nationwide survey. Based on results from the survey, the BMWG then narrowed the strategic focus areas to four (4), namely agriculture, health, natural resource management, and cross-cutting issues related to the Bioeconomy. Once the technical work was completed, eight (8) regional consultation workshops were held representing all 14 regions of Namibia. The stakeholders identified the challenges and opportunities related to the Bioeconomy in the different strategic focus areas and captured in the Stocktaking and Analysis Report of the Namibian Bioeconomy. The selected strategic focus areas and corresponding objectives are highlighted in the following section.

1.3. Bioeconomy in the Namibian Context In NDP5, the Namibian economy is projected to move from an input-dependent economy into a knowledge-based economy. The plan directs investments in research, development, innovation, skills development, diversification of economic activities, and greater value addition. The pillar of Economic Progression and corresponding sub-pillars of Economic Growth and Economic Infrastructure recognise the need to develop the agricultural sector and ensure food security. The strategies envisioned in the plan, amongst others, emphasise the need for value addition to local products and import substitution for agro-processed goods additionally, given that the agricultural sector supports 70 percent of Namibia's population. The plan also focuses on strategies that contribute to research and innovation by highlighting the need for an enabling environment for science, technology, and innovation. The NDP5 further highlights the need to build national research and innovation infrastructure and forge strategic partnerships to foster entrepreneurship. 18 Health and nutrition are also critical enablers of Namibia's social transformation. Therefore, key areas related to Bioeconomy emerge from the national development plans, such as the need to maximise the use of technologies related to agriculture, health, and manufacturing or industry in a sustainable manner. Namibia will only be able to realise the above if she optimises the use of emerging technologies in these sectors. To reduce losses to agrifood systems and detrimental impacts to ecosystems caused by diseases of plants and animals, and aquatic pests, including waterborne infections, zoonotic diseases, and pandemics like COVID-19, the national Bioeconomy strategy will employ the "One Health" approach. In a changing climate and environment, the One Health approach will enhance productivity and reduce risks from biological and chemical threats, by applying integrated pest and biosecurity management approaches on a national, regional, and global scales for more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agricultural systems. Therefore, for the years leading up to 2029, Namibia will have the following focus areas concerning Bioeconomy: Agriculture Health Natural Resource Management Cross-cutting Issues Related to Bioeconomy

1.4 Rationale: The Revised National Science, Technology and Innovation policy 2020-2030 identifies the need to develop and implement a National Bioeconomy Strategy 2024 to 2029 that will set the scene for employing programmes and initiatives that will help Namibia to take advantage of the benefits of the Bioeconomy.

1.5 Alignment: The national Bioeconomy Strategy was developed in line with national policies and international frameworks listed under Appendix 4: 19 VISION A vibrant bioeconomy that drives innovation, conservation, and sustainable utilisation of biological resources. MISSION To promote and accelerate the deployment of innovations and the sustainable use of biological resources for growth and sustainable development in Namibia. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Strategic Objective 1 Strategic Value-addition Objective 2 and employment creation Environmental sustainability Strategic Objective 3 Strategic Objective 4 Research Development Create awareness and and Innovation promote bioeconomy (RDI) activities in different sectors Strategic Initiatives The strategic initiatives designed by stakeholders speak directly to the challenges identified in the selected SFAs. 20 TO CREATE VALUE-ADDITION PLATFORMS FOR BIO-BASED PRODUCTS STRATEGY 1 Promote and support the quality of bio-based indigenous products and services Promote initiatives that plough funds towards value-addition of local fresh produce, develop processing centres to serve and enable communal farmers participation in the overall bush biomass value chain. Educate farmers on the various hybrid varieties and techniques to improve output and lobby market leaders to retail local innovations, especially those derived from underutilised crops. STRATEGY 2 Enhance products produced through bio-innovation from indigenous biological resources Invest in the research and development of pharmaceuticals derived from indigenous biological resources coupled with the drive to develop and improve infrastructure used in the production of indigenous based pharmaceuticals. STRATEGY 3 Support the utilization of high-performing crop varieties and processing of local fresh produce Develop and adopt national guidelines (including international benchmarking) for the initial screening and subsequent production of bio-based medicinal products to ensure appropriate quality of end products for easier market penetration. STRATEGY 4 Support the development of value chains based on non-timber forest and wildlife products Establish initiatives to drive the advancement of non-timber forest products and catalyse the development of more sustainable practices in natural resource management (especially in conservancies and communal initiatives). 21 TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 1 Advance climate-smart agricultural practices that contribute to sustainable agrifood systems Increase the use of climate-smart practices by providing incentives to farmers that utilise techniques which enable barren land to become fit for agricultural purposes. STRATEGY 2 Promote fossil-free technologies and ecosystem-based monitoring tools Procure and make available carbon capturing technologies, encourage the use of alternative energy sources such as solar. Develop and implement monitoring tools to protect the environment. Promote the production and use of green hydrogen locally as an energy source for the future. STRATEGY 3 Foster the sustainable use of natural resources. Promote certification schemes and develop criteria for certification coupled with the introduction of subsidies to encourage sustainable use of natural resources. 22 TO IMPROVE BIO-BASED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THROUGH RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (RDI). STRATEGY 1 Strengthen research that promotes health and agricultural biosciences innovation Support innovation within the agricultural biosciences fraternity by funding calls and setting up infrastructure to facilitate the transition of economically viable abstracts that increase the yield of both crops and livestock. STRATEGY 2 Strengthen research efforts to co-create products with rural communities Invest in programmes that foster collaborations to directly add value to research activities involving rural communities. STRATEGY 3 Promote socio-economic-driven research focusing on value addition Conduct comprehensive training on ABS procedures and foster multi-sectoral collaborations to realise the potential of bioproducts within the Namibian market. 23 TO CREATE AWARENESS ON BIOECONOMY IN DIFFERENT SECTORS STRATEGY 1 Valorise indigenous products and services Create a platform to market indigenous innovations and their widespread benefits STRATEGY 2 Capacitate the nation on indigenous resources profiles Conduct nationwide education campaigns to inform the masses on indigenous resources of economic importance and how best communities can ensure they benefit from their natural abundance. STRATEGY 3 Facilitate the integration of Bioeconomy in sectoral policy instruments Engage and sensitise policymakers on the importance of legislation that advocates for indigenous knowledge protection. Integrate the protection of indigenous knowledge into mainstream legislation. 24 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL BIOECONOMY STRATEGY 4. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY: The National Bio-economy Strategy 2024-2029 will be transmitted institutionally by the Bioeconomy Multi-sectoral working group. Additionally, public awareness of the strategy will be achieved using different media platforms, public engagements, seminars, workshops and other various outreach activities. 5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK AND REPORT

5.1. Annual monitoring and evaluation (m&e): The Monitoring and Evaluation System of the Bioeconomy strategy will generate evidence that will be used to make course corrections and adjustments to achieve the desired strategy objectives, targets and outcomes. The monitoring process implies continuous data collection of the different performance indicators of the Bioeconomy strategy and an aggregation compilation at the end of each semester (after six months). Hence, an annual report will be compiled at the end of every year to track the implementation of activities and performance indicators. 25

5.2. Mid-term Evaluation: A mid-term evaluation of the Strategy will be conducted during the third year of its implementation to determine and establish the Strategy's progress (achievements and status) after two years of its execution, including experienced challenges. In addition, the mid-term evaluation will assist in formulating the mitigation measures for the remaining implementation period.

5.3. End-term and Impact Evaluation: The final M&E is envisaged to be carried out in 2029, (at the end of the last year of the Strategy), to sum up the overall implementation results concerning the implementation plan and expected key indicators. The comprehensive M&E results and impact of the Bioeconomy Strategy shall be used as a lesson learned for updating and revising the next Bio-economy Strategy beyond 2029. 6. RESOURCE MOBILISATION APPROACH OF THE BIO-ECONOMY STRATEGY The Government of the Republic of Namibia will be funding the implementation of the Bio-economy Strategy with support from multilateral and bilateral partners – existing and new partnership agreements with multilateral and bilateral partners to cover the gap in financing the implementation of the Bioeconomy. Grants can be notably provided through grant-writing in partnership with the UN agencies, the European Union (EU), USAID, DFID, and other bilateral partners. The government will facilitate investments and access to bank loans by developing financial tools such as zero-collateral loans for farmers and entrepreneurs in the Bio-economy, in collaboration with the private sector, including Agribank and Development Bank of Namibia. 26 7. CONCLUSION Bioeconomy includes all activities related to the production, use, and processing of bio-resources for the justifiable production of renewable resources from land, fisheries, and aquaculture environments, and their conversion into food, feed, and bio-based products as well as the related public services. These activities aim to provide a sustainable response to society's nutritional and material needs while preserving natural resources and ensuring the provision of quality environmental services. Bioeconomy comprises primary production such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, and industries that use or process biological resources. Therefore, Bioeconomy activities bring significant changes to our society, anticipated through the transformation of the economic systems Namibia's Bio-economy Strategy therefore simultaneously sets out a framework for conservation of these resources for future generations. The current action plan (Appendix 1) outlines the concrete indicators for efficient implementation of the strategy in Namibia from 2024 to 2029. The plan deliberately focuses on the priority components of the Bioeconomy based on the scoping conducted by NCRST with the support of FAO. Overall, it has been echoed by the stakeholders that dissemination of the national Bioeconomy is a critical role for its successful implementation. The Namibia Bioeconomy Strategy is consistent with other national development policies and plans. 27 8. BIBILIOGRAPHY 1. Republic of Namibia (2004). Vision 2030. Policy framework for long-term National Development. Office of the President, National Planning Commission (NPC). 2. Republic of Namibia (2016). Harambee Prosperity Plan 2016/17 - 2019/20 Namibian Government's Action Plan towards Prosperity for All 3. Namibia Statistics Agency. 2023. Preliminary Reports 2024. Retrieved from https://nsa.nsa.org.na/. 4. United Nations. Rio Declaration (Agenda 21). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/conferences/environment/rio1992 5. Republic of Namibia. Environmental Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007) 6. Namibia's Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2013 to 2022 (NBSAP II) 7. United Nations (2015). UN Climate Change Conference. Paris Agreement 2015. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement. 8. United Nations World Population Prospectus. 2019. 9. Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Biodiversity Resource Mobilization Strategy, MEFT, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.meft.gov.na/. 10. Namibia Statistics Agency. (2011) Namibia population and housing 2011. Retrieved from https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Namibia- 2011-population-and-housing-.pdf. 28 9. APPENDIXES

Appendix 1 : IMPLEMENTATION ACTION PLAN PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS, TARGETS, AND TIMEFRAME 29 30 31 32 33 34

Appendix 2 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Based on the selected Bio-economy strategy activities listed in the Action Plan, it is crucial to define the iterations between the activity's implementation and the information and data generated that show the progress and impact made by the Bio-economy strategy. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework includes the performance indicators related to biomass production in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; the biomass processing indicators in the food, feed, and beverage industry, the material used, as well as the biomass energy use. Furthermore, some performance indicators will measure the progress in terms of inputs, outputs, outcomes, and the impact of the biomass-based services in logistics, transport, retail, research, and tourism. 35 36 37 38

Appendix 3 Data Collection Template 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Appendix 4 Policies and Programmes of Institutions Represented in the Bioeconomy Multi-sectoral Working Group (BMWG). Table 1: Stakeholder role in Bioeconomy and links to Strategic Objectives and Initiatives 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

Appendix 5 Bioeconomy Multi-sectoral Working Group (BMWG): 1. Dr. Paulus Mungeyi, NCRST Chairperson of the BMWG 2. Mr. Vincent Nowaseb, NCRST 3. Ms. Hilde Amputu, NCRST 4. Dr. Natascha Cheikhyoussef, Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation 5. Ms. Helen Amutoko and Mr Siegfried Bandu! Aebeb, Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service 6. Mr. Titus Endjala and Ms. Lahja Hipondoka, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development 7. Ms. Remmie Hilukwa, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform 8. Mr. Kemanya Elias Natangwe and Ms. Leana van Wyk, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources 9. Mr. Timoteus Mufeti and Mr. Olimpio Nhuleipo, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism 10. Dr. Michael Humavindu, Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade and SME Development 11. Mr. Vasco Munsu, Ministry of Health and Social Services 12. Mr. Filimon Shiimi, Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare 13. Mr. Abraham Hangula, Ministry of Mines and Energy 14. Ms. Lauren Davidson, Chamber of Mines 15. Mr. Progress Kashandula, The Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG) 16. Mr. Gero von der Wense (Organic Energy Solutions (Pty) LTD) and Ms. Anna Kankodi (Namibia Dairies (Pty) LTD), O&L Group of companies 17. Mr. Pieter Stoman, Agra Limited 18. Mr. Fanie Badenhorst and Dr Francois Slabbert from FabuPharm (Pty) LTD 19. Ms. Loide Uahengo, Namibia Agronomic Board 20.Mr. Isaac Nathinge Meat Corporation of Namibia 21. Mr. Lot Ndamanomhata and Mr. Sakeus Shilomboleni, Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) 22. Ms. Juliette Perche, Namibian Nature Foundation (also representing Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) and Namibia Chamber of Environment) 23. Dr. Eino Mvula, Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) 24. Ms. Connie Pandeni, Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) 25. Prof. Percy Chimwamurombe, Namibia University of Science & Technology 26. Dr. Simon Angombe and Dr. John Sifani, University of Namibia 58 FAO technical team 1. Ms. Anne Bogdanski, FAO Head Quarters, Rome 2. Ms. Marta Gomez San Juan, Head Quarters, Rome 3. Ms. Ndaindila Haindongo, Head Quarters, Rome 4. Mr. Eugene Kanguatjivi, FAO Namibia 5. Mr. Ferdinand Mwapopi, FAO Namibia 6. Dr. Mwangala Nalisa, FAO Namibia consultant 7. Ms. Alina Nghihalwa, FAO Namibia consultant, and 8. Prof. Honoré Kabwebwe Mitonga, FAO Namibia consultant 59 Head Office Cnr Louis Raymond and Grant Webster Street | Olympia Private Bag 13253, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264 61 431 7000 Cyber Space Email: info@ncrst.na Website: https://www.ncrst.na Facebook: facebook.com/ncrst.na Twitter: @NCRST_Namibia LinkedIn: National Commission on Research, Science & Technology Directorate of Research and Innovation Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Windhoek, Namibia Private Bag 13391 Tel: +264614356028 Email: Secretary.DRI@mheti.gov.na