Also known as: minister Indileni Daniel · Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel · minister of environment and tourism Indileni Daniel · Minister Daniel · Environment Minister Indileni Daniel · Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel · environment, forestry and tourism minister Indileni Daniel · Honourable Indileni Daniel
Indileni Daniel — Environment and Tourism Minister overseeing conservation, wildlife management, and tourism sector development.
Indileni Danielurgedministry staff to use working hours efficiently
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“THE Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, has urged the ministry's staff to use working hours efficiently and to ensure that all tasks are completed within the designated working hours.”
Minister Indileni Danielwarned staff againstpoor performance, weak accountability and lack of professionalism
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“Minister of environment and tourism Indileni Daniel has warned staff against poor performance, weak accountability and lack of professionalism, saying it will no longer be tolerated.”
Sheexpressed concern overweakness in leadership and execution during previous financial year
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“She expressed concern over weakness in leadership and execution during the previous financial year, saying only N$31 million of the N$70 million allocated to the ministry was spent.”
Minister Indileni Danielreleased statistics showing1,257,093 tourist arrivals in 2024, a 45.5% increase
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“However, according to 2024/2023 statistics released by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel, the year 2024 recorded 1 257 093 tourist arrivals, representing a 45.5% increase from 863 872 tourist arrivals in 2023.”
The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Indileni Danielcalled fora proactive approach to climate funding and natural disaster management
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“THE Minister of Environment and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, has called for a proactive approach to climate funding and the management of natural disasters affecting Namibia.”
The environment ministernoted thatreactive responses alone are insufficient and focus must shift towards proactive investment
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“She added that while the government continues to invest in early warning systems, drought relief and water security, reactive responses alone are not enough.”
Danielsaid thatillegal sand and gravel mining poses danger to the environment, people, livestock and wildlife
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“Daniel explained that illegal sand and gravel mining poses danger to the environment, people, livestock and wildlife, such as land degradation, erosion of riverbanks, damage to infrastructure, destruction of wetlands and agricultural land like mahangu fields.”
Namibia's deputy environmental commissioner Caroline Garus-Oas says protecting natural ecosystems such as forests, rivers, oceans and wetlands is critical in addressing climate change, noting that trees and algae absorb carbon dioxide and help maintain environmental balance. She also advocates for sustainable cities incorporating climate-smart buildings, solar energy and green spaces as nature-based solutions.
Why it matters
Deputy commissioner's emphasis on nature-based climate solutions aligns with Namibia's environmental priorities and broader sustainability goals.
Namibia's deputy environmental commissioner Caroline Garus-Oas says protecting natural ecosystems such as forests, rivers, oceans and wetlands is critical in addressing climate change, noting that trees and algae absorb carbon dioxide and help maintain environmental balance. She also advocates for sustainable cities incorporating climate-smart buildings, solar energy and green spaces as nature-based solutions.
Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel has launched the Namibia Luxury Travel Market Expo, scheduled for November or December, to position the country's tourism sector as a premium niche. The minister emphasized tourism's role in generating foreign exchange, employment, and socio-economic transformation as part of Namibia's Vision 2030 and sixth National Development Plan.
Namibia's government and the World Wildlife Fund will sign a funding agreement worth over N$1 billion to support long-term conservation efforts under the Namibia for Life initiative, using the Project Finance for Permanence model. The agreement will be signed on 20 May 2026 at Droombos, with attendance from the Prime Minister, Environment Minister, community conservancy leaders, civil society, donors, and the private sector.
Namibia's Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel told Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban that the country's tourism contribution is rooted in sustainability, policy alignment, innovation and market positioning, and called for African nations to work together to strengthen storytelling around the continent's tourism offerings.
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Margaret Gustavo as acting managing director of Namibia Wildlife Resorts for a two-year period ending April 2028, as government moves to stabilise the state-owned tourism entity. Cabinet has also directed the Ministry to develop a comprehensive turnaround strategy for the parastatal over the next 24 months.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has set the 2026 hunting season for game animals and birds, with some activities allowed until the end of August. Hunting periods vary by farm type—from 1 May to 31 August on game-proof fenced farms and conservancies, and from 1 June to 31 July on adequately fenced farms—with species-specific and daily limits; hunting generates about N$400 million annually for Namibia.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched the Namibia Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme Legal Hub, a website providing public access to statutory and legal instruments relating to natural resource management. The hub was funded by the French Government through the French Development Agency, with co-funding from the German Government through GIZ.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.
Anselm Marungu, a Ndonga Linena constituency councillor, has been appointed deputy minister of environment and tourism by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, effective immediately, while retaining his councillor position.
The Environmental Investment Fund collected N$236 million in environmental levies over three years (2021/22–2023/24), now its main funding source after government budget allocations stopped. The levies on lubricating oils, batteries, tyres, vehicles and plastic bags finance waste management, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience projects across Namibia.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has handed over newly built and renovated infrastructure worth N$166 million across Etosha, Hardap and Bwabwata national parks, co-funded by Namibia and Germany. The upgrades include improved entrance gates, comfort stops, duty stations, and anti-poaching infrastructure, aimed at strengthening conservation and enhancing visitor experience.
Community-based natural resource management programmes generated N$109 million for Namibia's economy in 2025, with 87 registered communal conservancies and 48 community forests supporting sustainable rural livelihoods through tourism, conservation hunting, timber and other natural resource enterprises. The programme, which covers about 60.7% of communal land, employs over 2,591 people and has contributed to wildlife recovery including the return of cheetahs, elephants and black rhinos.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has inaugurated newly constructed and renovated infrastructure across Etosha, Hardap, and Bwabwata National Parks, valued at N$166 million and co-funded by Germany's development bank. The upgrades include enhanced facilities, staff stations, and utilities designed to strengthen wildlife protection and improve visitor experiences.
The Minister of Environment has inaugurated a Solid Waste Management Facility at Etosha National Park, emphasizing the need for environmental education alongside infrastructure to improve waste management practices. The facility, funded by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, addresses poor waste management at wildlife resorts and will be operated by Rent-A-Drum.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism, supported by German development funding, inaugurated renovated and newly constructed infrastructure at Etosha, Hardap, and Bwabwata National Parks. The upgrades included staff housing, wildlife protection facilities, and improved water and power systems designed to enhance both visitor experience and anti-poaching operations.
Environment and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel described Kunene as a critical pillar for inclusive growth, highlighting its unique landscapes, tourism potential, and strategic location near Angola that positions it for trade and regional integration. She said the government's work encompasses protecting nature while building livelihoods, creating jobs, and strengthening communities.
Some Swapo members holding full-time government positions as councillors, governors and ministers are allegedly refusing to vacate their party leadership posts, defying a February directive by party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa requiring them to step down to prevent leadership vacuums and operational paralysis. Those refusing include Khomas governor Sam Nujoma (SPYL regional coordinator), Emma Muteka (SPYL district secretary), and Minister Indileni Daniel (party women's council coordinator), though some members have complied with the order.
Namibia's environment and tourism ministry will inaugurate new light infrastructure, a solid waste management facility, and Wildlife Protection Service duty stations at Etosha National Park on 28 March. The improvements aim to strengthen ranger patrols against poaching, improve wildlife monitoring, and manage visitor waste to protect animals and the park's natural environment.
Meat Corporation of Namibia slaughtered 75,268 cattle in the 2024/25 financial year despite ongoing drought, achieving higher average carcass weights and dressing percentages through improved production and processing efficiencies. The company attributed increased cattle marketing to improved payment discipline and producer confidence.
Communal conservancies earned over N$292.5 million from trophy hunting between 2013 and 2024, with the Environment Minister confirming that selective hunting removes less than 1% of annual wildlife population and contributes to conservation funding, habitat management and community development.
Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel met with traditional authorities in the Zambezi and Kavango East regions to discuss community-led conservation, governance in conservancies, and wildlife management. Daniel reaffirmed government commitment to working with traditional leaders on sustainable biodiversity conservation and benefit-sharing, and received a submission from the Hambukushu Traditional Authority regarding Bwabwata National Park management.
Namibian communal conservancies earned N$166.36 million through joint venture tourism and N$292.55 million from trophy hunting between 2013 and 2024, according to the environment minister. The minister said hunting and tourism both provide employment and community development, with hunting removing less than 1% of the national wildlife population annually against typical growth rates of 25–35%.
Namibia's communal conservancies earned N$292.5 million from hunting activities between 2013 and 2024, significantly exceeding the N$166.3 million from joint-venture tourism during the same period. Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel says hunting quotas are set using scientific data to ensure sustainable wildlife management, and warns that international pressure to ban trophy hunting threatens the communal conservancy programme.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has outlined an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to regulate Namibia's gambling sector, citing weak oversight that costs government revenue and exposes citizens to social harm. The minister called for a National Gambling Policy that prioritises player protection, skills development, and job creation, while confronting risks of addiction, and a gambling consultant warned that unlicensed online operators are extracting substantial revenue without paying taxes.
The Meat Corporation of Namibia slaughtered 75,268 cattle in the 2024/25 financial year and achieved higher average carcass weights and dressing percentages despite persistent drought conditions and lower slaughter numbers, with improved payment discipline encouraging farmers to market more cattle through the company compared to previous drought cycles.
Namibia's Environment Ministry has denied authorising the Kaoko Fria Smart City project within Skeleton Coast National Park, citing conservation concerns, while the Kunene Regional Council says it was never consulted despite the company's recruitment drive in Windhoek. The company claims it has submitted environmental assessments and is seeking deproclamation of the park for the development.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has rejected claims that a smart city and port development will be built at Cape/Angra Fria in the Skeleton Coast National Park, stating no approval has been granted. The minister noted that similar proposals were submitted in 2013, 2017 and 2022 but were rejected because such projects would undermine Namibia's conservation and tourism reputation.
Environment Minister Indileni Daniel said the president will not be issuing petroleum licences, contrary to opposition claims, as this is an administrative duty. The amendment bill to place the petroleum sector under the Presidency requires oversight by the highest executive level for strategic national resources, though opposition parliamentarians dispute the move on constitutional and accountability grounds.
Environment and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel has expressed support for placing petroleum oversight under the Presidency, arguing that the sector is a strategic national resource requiring supervision at the highest executive level to ensure coordinated leadership, protect national interests, and maintain investor confidence. Daniel told Parliament that the arrangement aligns with the Constitution and is necessary for coordinating international negotiations and inter-ministerial work on oil and gas projects.
Namibia recorded 1.26 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, a 45.5% increase from 2023, with the high-end sector experiencing robust recovery driven by demand for eco-conscious, low-density experiences in destinations like Etosha, Sossusvlei, and emerging remote areas. The sector is projected to generate N$4.6 billion in 2025 with continued growth expected from improved air connectivity and diversified marketing strategies.