By Staff Reporter
Namibia’s climate future may ultimately depend less on the policies written in government offices and more on whether the country can equip its young population to build, finance and lead the green economy.
That was the central message emerging from the fifth Sustainable Development awards, where Vice President Lucia Witbooi placed youth empowerment at the heart of Namibia’s sustainability agenda and challenged the country to view climate action not simply as an environmental obligation, but as an economic opportunity.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Windhoek on recently, Witbooi said sustainability must be placed at the centre of Namibia’s economic transformation, with young Namibians positioned as active participants rather than spectators in the country’s transition towards a more sustainable economy.
“Sustainability should not be viewed simply as an environmental obligation; rather, it should be understood as an opportunity to broaden our economy, create jobs, and fostering innovation and inclusion,” Witbooi said.
Her remarks come at a time when Namibia is positioning itself to participate in emerging industries including renewable energy, green hydrogen, climate finance and the circular economy.
But the opportunity, she warned, will not materialise automatically.
Namibia has a young population, with approximately 71 percent of its people below the age of 35.
Witbooi described this demographic reality as one of the country’s greatest national assets, while cautioning that the potential of a youthful population can only become an economic dividend through deliberate and sustained investment.
“If we invest effectively in our young people, we can transform their energy, creativity, resilience and potential into a powerful force for economic growth and social progress,” she said.
The challenge therefore extends beyond creating awareness about climate change.
It is about building the skills, institutions, financing mechanisms and opportunities that allow young Namibians to develop businesses, conduct research, create technologies and participate in industries that are expected to shape the global economy.
The Vice President said digital technologies, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, green hydrogen, climate finance and the circular economy are already creating new industries and opportunities.
Namibia, she argued, cannot afford to remain merely a consumer of these developments.
“We must position ourselves as active participants, innovators and producers,” Witbooi said.
This places a different demand on the country’s sustainability agenda.
Instead of treating environmental protection as a separate policy area, sustainability is increasingly being framed as part of Namibia’s economic development strategy.
The country has significant potential in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, conservation, tourism, digital services and other emerging green industries, according to Witbooi.
The question is whether that potential can be translated into livelihoods for ordinary Namibians, particularly young people who remain at the centre of the country’s economic and social pressures.
For Witbooi, the answer lies in building an ecosystem that connects education and skills development with innovation, entrepreneurship and economic independence.
That ecosystem cannot be built by government alone.
The Vice President called for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, financial institutions, universities, research institutions, civil society, development partners and communities.
Such partnerships could determine whether Namibia’s green transition becomes a source of broad-based economic participation or remains concentrated among a relatively small number of established players.
The Fifth Sustainable Development Awards provided examples of what is already possible.
Hosted by the Environmental Investment Fund in partnership with the Sustainable Development Advisory Council and other stakeholders, the awards recognised individuals, institutions, organisations and communities contributing to Namibia’s sustainable development journey.
Among the winners were start-up entrepreneur Jacob Irungu, Hangana Seafood, Ubuntu Aquatics, Rural Revive Community Development, researcher Maria Kanyama and youth sustainability advocate Martin Shuudeni.
The awards also recognised contributions in environmental journalism, women and the environment, green financial services and thought leadership.
The diversity of the categories illustrates that sustainability is no longer confined to conservationists and environmental organisations.
It reaches into business, finance, research, communities, journalism and youth activism.
This broadening of the sustainability conversation could prove important as the country attempts to develop new economic sectors while protecting its natural resources.
Minister of environment, forestry and tourism Indileni Daniel said the awards provide visibility to people making a difference, often without recognition.
“When we honour someone for protecting our natural resources, we are saying that conservation matters. When we honour a researcher, we are saying that knowledge matters. When we honour a young person, we are saying that age must never be a barrier to contribution,” Daniel said.
According to her, the message is particularly relevant for young Namibians seeking a place in the emerging green economy.
Youth empowerment, however, cannot stop at speeches, awards or programmes.
It must translate into access to finance, mentorship, education, technology, markets and opportunities to participate in decision-making.
Daniel also highlighted education, skills development, entrepreneurship, access to finance and mentorship as practical requirements for youth empowerment.
That is perhaps where Namibia’s sustainability test becomes most difficult.
The country can possess abundant renewable energy resources, a globally recognised conservation model and ambitions for green hydrogen, but these advantages will have limited meaning for young people if they cannot find pathways into the industries being created around them.
The Sustainable Development Awards therefore represent more than recognition.
They offer a snapshot of Namibians already attempting to turn sustainability into action.
Witbooi urged award recipients to use their success to create opportunities for others, particularly young people.
“Every young Namibian represents huge potential as a future entrepreneur, scientist, innovator, community leader, policy- maker and nation-builder,” she said.
The task now is to ensure that potential is not wasted.
As Namibia confronts climate pressures and seeks new engines of economic growth, its greatest sustainability investment may be its people.
The country’s green transition will ultimately be measured not only by renewable energy projects, conservation achievements or climate commitments, but by whether young Namibians can build businesses, develop solutions and secure livelihoods from the opportunities emerging around them.
