Namibia one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa is tackling climate change head-on with a mix of innovation, climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy. Facing erratic rainfall sometimes as low as 25 mm a year and worsening desertification the country is reshaping its development model to survive a hotter, drier future.
Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture Namibia is increasingly vulnerable to food insecurity, land degradation, and economic shocks. Prolonged droughts have hit crops and livestock hard threatening rural livelihoods and key sectors like biodiversity, fisheries, water, and tourism.
To fight back, Namibia has introduced a national climate change policy and a 17-year action plan, focusing on mitigation and adaptation. Local communities are at the centre of this transformation. Farmers are adopting drought-resistant crops, organic fertilisers, drip irrigation, and rainwater harvesting. Many rural households have started kitchen gardens to support food security.
“Our members are planting crops like carrots, sweet potatoes, and peppers using less water,” said Shetuuka Shetuuka from the Olushandja Horticulture Producers Association. “We’re also reusing organic matter to revive degraded soils.”
The government Environmental Investment Fund accredited to the Green Climate Fund has mobilised over N$460 million (about ₹2.66 crore) for climate initiatives. Still, experts warn that traditional knowledge alone can no longer keep pace with climate shifts. Axel Rothauge, a Namibian expert on climate-smart agriculture, called for more rotational grazing and the planting of native tree species to counter desertification.
Around 75% of Namibia is savannah and 15% is desert, making it highly prone to rangeland degradation. Namibia is also part of continental initiatives like the Great Green Wall and AFRI100, which aim to restore forests and land by 2030.
In parallel, the country is making strong progress on clean energy. Backed by policies promoting solar and wind power, off-grid and mini-grid systems are expanding in remote areas. Namibia’s goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 91% by 2030, and a new National Carbon Market Framework aims to support this target through carbon credit trading.
Water scarcity remains a major challenge. A partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency is assessing the impact of climate change on groundwater in key aquifers.
Public awareness is also part of the strategy. The government is actively training journalists to improve climate change coverage and increase community participation in adaptation projects.
Despite its climate challenges, Namibia is emerging as a model for how nations can blend traditional knowledge with modern innovation to adapt and thrive in a changing world.