Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Organization

Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

Also known as: MEFT · Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT)

Namibian government ministry responsible for national parks, wildlife conservation, tourism infrastructure, and environmental management.

Tourism & Environment

Tourism hospitality group opposes Competition Commission scrutiny of JV model

The News

The Hospitality Association of Namibia has warned that the Competition Commission's questioning of exclusivity clauses in the country's joint-venture tourism model could undermine investment, conservation, and rural livelihoods. The association argues that exclusivity is essential to securing long-term private-sector funding for over 50 community-based tourism lodges and campsites operating under the framework.

Why it matters

Tourism industry's pushback against Competition Commission scrutiny raises important questions about investment models, conservation funding, and rural economic development.

23 hours ago · Informanté →

Yesterday

  1. Tourism hospitality group opposes Competition Commission scrutiny of JV model

    The Hospitality Association of Namibia has warned that the Competition Commission's questioning of exclusivity clauses in the country's joint-venture tourism model could undermine investment, conservation, and rural livelihoods. The association argues that exclusivity is essential to securing long-term private-sector funding for over 50 community-based tourism lodges and campsites operating under the framework.

    23 hours ago · Informanté →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Former minister criticizes Sossusvlei shuttle restrictions from May 2026

    Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has opposed the government's decision to restrict access to Deadvlei in Namib-Naukluft Park, saying the closure of Sossusvlei for self-drive visitors and requirement to use a single concessionaire robs Namibians of their right to free access. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced last week that only two categories of operators—Grow Namibia and registered tour guides employed by lodges—will be authorised to provide shuttle services to Deadvlei effective 1 May 2026, with self-driving beyond the 2×4 parking area no longer permitted for tourists.

    21 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 18 April

  1. Deadvlei access limited to authorised shuttles from May 2026

    The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced that effective 1 May 2026, self-driving access to Deadvlei from the Sossusvlei 2×4 parking area will be restricted; only two categories of operators—Grow Namibia (trading as About Adelt Sossusvlei Management) and registered lodge tour guides—will be permitted to provide shuttle services.

    18 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 10 April

  1. Cabinet prohibits mining at Kunene village of Okoutjete

    Namibia's Cabinet has withdrawn the Okoutjete area in Kunene region from prospecting and mining activities and directed police to patrol and monitor the site to deter illegal mining. The decision reserves the Okoutjete gold occurrence from mining operations under the Minerals Act, subject to consultation with the Environment Ministry.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Farmer near Keetmanshoop grows fruit in arid southern region

    Frederick Moses Jacobs has established a fruit garden at Farm Constancia Opstal near Keetmanshoop, growing guava, mango and lemon trees on land his late father once worked. Despite challenges including bird damage and the harsh climate, the trees are bearing fruit, and Jacobs hopes to eventually expand into commercial production.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Zambezi floods displace households, strain services, worsen human-wildlife conflict

    Rising water levels in the Zambezi River during March displaced residents, caused loss of income, and isolated communities from schools and healthcare. The flooding has also intensified human-wildlife conflict as animals compete for reduced available land, with elephants damaging crop fields in some areas.

    2 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. N$166m park upgrades boost tourism and wildlife protection

    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.

    1 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. N$166 million park infrastructure upgrades enhance conservation and tourism

    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.

    31 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. New waste facility at Etosha underscores environmental education importance

    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.

    31 March 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 15 March

  1. Gibeon vocational centre plans invasive prosopis tree removal initiative

    The Johanna Jacobs Vocational Training Centre at Gibeon is proposing a biodiversity and restoration programme to remove invasive prosopis (makarakasha) trees that consume large quantities of water and damage infrastructure. The centre plans to harvest timber for productive use and introduce fish farming and superfruit orchards to transform the area into an agricultural hub.

    15 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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